LaFrentz Breaks Finger, Will Sit at Least Six Weeks

Kansas forward Raef LaFrentz broke a bone in his right index finger during practice Friday and is expected to sit out at least six weeks.

The injury is a major blow to the second-ranked Jayhawks (14-1), who are in Hawaii for the Rainbow Classic.

LaFrentz, a 6-foot-11 senior projected by some to be the No. 1 overall pick in next June’s NBA draft, is averaging 21.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

“Raef went up for a shot inside,” Kansas Coach Roy Williams told the Kansas City Star. “Eric [Chenowith] reached across and fouled him. It was a clean play, but he came down hard on [LaFrentz’s] right hand. Raef walked off the court, holding his hand. I knew he was hurt because he doesn’t do that.”

An orthopedic surgeon diagnosed the injury as a break between the knuckle and the tip of the right index finger.

“Right now we’re not going to send Raef back early,” Williams said. “The finger is in a cast. They don’t anticipate any surgery. Everything looks like it’s in alignment.”

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Don Haskins doesn’t want to hear about the milestones anymore.

As the longtime Texas El Paso coach and Basketball Hall of Famer approaches career victory No. 700, he insists he just doesn’t care--and his gruff delivery makes you believe him.

“I’m not at all interested in that,” Haskins said. “That’s the last thing on my mind.

“I’ve heard other coaches who’ve reached milestones say that if you keep doing it [coaching], it’s going to happen.”

Haskins has won 698 games in 36 years at UTEP, including an NCAA championship in 1966.