Kansas basketball has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, maintaining its No. 1 national ranking with a 7-0 record. The Jayhawks picked up marquee victories over schools like Duke, North Carolina, and Michigan State and will fight another battle tomorrow against Creighton.
While Bill Self's squad is one of the deepest and most talented in the country, KU has competed without a player who was expected to take on a sizable role coming into the season. After breaking his foot during a pick-up game in September, Mississippi State transfer guard Shakeel Moore was given a 6-8 week recovery timetable. However, he suffered a setback when he tried to return and still is not ready to return to the court.
Kansas guard Shakeel Moore still recovering from foot injury
"He’s seen the doctors. He’s not 100%. He might not even be 85%. He may not be that 100% all year long. I mean, he had surgery, so there’s gonna be some discomfort and all that stuff when you have surgery. It’s not at the point now where he feels like he can contribute, which, to me, is disappointing. Not that he’s not out there but the fact after this much time, he doesn’t feel like he can really go on it. But I also think that we’ll get him back out there but it’s gonna take at least a month longer than we anticipated."Bill Self
Coach Self spoke to media on Monday and discussed the outlook of Moore's injury. The news certainly didn't sound promising, as he noted that he was disappointed with how long the injury has lingered. It could take another month for him to return, and yet he still might not be 100%.
Kansas has played all but two of its contests without Moore. He made his season debut against Oakland and played the next game vs. UNC-Wilmington before realizing he was unable to contribute to the team due to his injury. He only totaled four points in 10 minutes during that stretch.
Across his college career, the fifth-year senior has averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 126 games. His impact is mostly felt on the defensive end, where he is considered one of the best on-ball defenders at his position. The Jayhawks could use a player like Moore, given the season-ending injury to Elmarko Jackson and the redshirting of Jamari McDowell.
Moore had high expectations heading into Lawrence, but he has unfortunately not panned out. Coach Self added that he will not be medically redshirted, so he could still become a key piece on the roster. Regardless, it could take a month or more before that happens.