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NBA prospect Joel Embiid has surgery to repair stress fracture

Kansas center Joel Embiid watches the Lakers play the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center in April.
Kansas center Joel Embiid watches the Lakers play the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center in April.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Kansas star Joel Embiid, who was projected by some to be the top pick in next week’s NBA draft, underwent surgery Friday to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

Embiid’s agent told the Associated Press that the 7-foot center fractured the navicular bone in his foot and that Embiid will be unable to work out for NBA teams before the June 26 draft. He also does not plan to attend the draft in New York, his agent said.

It is unclear when Embiid suffered the injury.

Embiid, who has drawn comparisons to former NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon, averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman with the Jayhawks last season en route to being named Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year.

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Despite his standout season, a pair of significant injuries could weigh heavily on Embiid’s draft stock. Concerns over a back injury that kept him out of the NCAA tournament coupled with his stress fracture could lead to Embiid falling several spots in the draft.

Embiid’s injury could improve the chances of Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker being selected No. 1. Wiggins, who played alongside Embiid at Kansas, worked out Wednesday for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the top pick in the draft. Parker, a star at Duke, is scheduled to work out for the Cavaliers on Friday.

Embiid worked out last week for the Cavaliers, but it remains to be seen whether Cleveland will take a chance on him.

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