John Calipari gives update on CJ Fredrick's injury

The Kentucky Wildcats dropped their fifth game of the season with a loss against Missouri to start SEC play. Bigger than that loss was that of CJ Fredrick, who left the game with an apparent finger injury. He returned to the bench, but did not play again, and had tape around two of his fingers.

After the game, head coach John Calipari gave a brief update on CJ Fredrick’s injury, but he wasn’t able to give an update on his return.

“I did not see him but the trainer told me at halftime he’s out for the game.” John Calipari said.

“I think the kid told me he did something to it. He dislocated it.”

CJ Fredrick was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2018 out of Covington Catholic. He originally attended Iowa before transferring to Kentucky. In 12 games this season, CJ Fredrick is averaging 7.3 points and 1.5 assists per game.

John Calipari and Kentucky will look to bounce back against rival Louisville on New Year’s Eve.

John Calipari said Kentucky needs CJ Fredrick

Before Christmas and his injury, John Calipari praised CJ Fredrick, saying that the Wildcats needed him if they wanted to be successful this season.

“We need CJ to win. We really do. I’m going to tell you, he’s the one that made the pass to Oscar [Tshiebwe] to get the two free throws. There were other passes that we’re throwing that you’re like, dude, you threw to the inside. That almost got stolen. Those are things that he’s not going to make those kind of errors,” John Calipari said.

“I told him, like I believe in you, kid. Making shots and making plays and he fights on defense, we switched, he fronted. The reason I had those guys in at the end, they’re veterans, playing to win.”