MSU's Thomas sidelined with injury

MICHAEL WARDLAW

The hits just keep coming for Mississippi State basketball this offseason.

The Bulldogs announced on Tuesday that incoming freshman Fred Thomas will have surgery today to repair a stress fracture in his right foot. This announcement comes on the heals of Jacoby Davis being lost for the season with a torn ACL.

In Thomas' case, it appears he will be back in time for the 2012-13 season.

“It’s disappointing because Fred came in with a tremendous attitude and ready to go to work,” first-year MSU coach Rick Ray said. “Fortunately, we caught it at a time where we expect to have him back at the start of practice. I want to commend Dr. (Scott) Jones and our trainer Scotty Johnson for catching this fracture early enough that it gives Fred a chance to be 100 percent at the start of the season.”

While the injury to Thomas isn’t welcome news for the Bulldogs, those around the program consider themselves fortunate. Athletic trainer Scotty Johnson discovered the injury during an examination of Thomas’ foot. Slight soreness led the trainer to find an underlying injury Thomas developed prior to his arrival to Mississippi State.

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Scott Jones in Columbus, and the recovery period is expected to be six weeks. State fans may recall Winsome Fraiser suffered the same injury and was able to return to the court in just four weeks.

If recovery goes according to schedule, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound freshman guard will return in time for the opening of fall camp which begins on Oct. 12.