Kentucky releases unlikely update on TyTy Washington injury ahead of Tennessee matchup

John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats, who will face Tennessee on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. ET, received some welcome news ahead of the huge rivalry game: freshman point guard TyTy Washington appears to be OK after a scary injury, and he will start for the Wildcats.

Let’s ball. Our five to start ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yUwFqNoP5y

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 16, 2022

Washington is Kentucky’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in just under 30 minutes per contest. But he left Wildcats fans scared for his impending diagnosis following a dangerous collision against Florida. Washington was quickly taken to the locker room for further evaluation against the Gators, finishing his day with 10 points, five boards and six assists in 26 minutes played.

Previous reports indicated that Kentucky dodged a bullet and that the injury was not quite as serious as it looked. However, given that Washington suffered the injury a mere three days ago, his active status was far from a guarantee heading into Knoxville. Plus, Calipari was non-committal in discussing Washington’s status, labeling the star point guard “day-to-day” following x-rays in the locker room.

A 6-foot-3, 185-pound point guard from Chandler, AZ, Washington was labeled a five-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Additionally, he was the No. 3 overall point guard in the 2021 recruiting class.

More on Washington’s injury

As players dove for a loose ball during Kentucky’s game with Florida, Washington was a part of a dangerous collision that left him visibly shaken up. He left the game immediately and jogged to the locker room while heavily limping.

Just your average @SECOfficiating. No foul on this play, and TyTy Washington limped/hopped straight to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/DfKP6SGoSo

— Second Take (@SecondTake20) February 12, 2022

While the play itself was fairly routine on a basketball court, Washington appeared to come out on the far worse end of the second-half collision. Florida’s Brandon McKissic dove for a loose ball as Washington attempted to scoop it from the ground. McKissic hit Washington right in the knee area, and after Washington rolled out from beneath the Gators’ player, he immediately stood up while hopping on one leg. He then rushed off the court towards the locker room, visibly concerned with the injury.

Adding to the concern, those present at the game stated that Washington collapsed before reaching the locker room and needed assistance the rest of the way. The crowd in attendance made sure to voice their own frustration at the scary collision.

“Rupp Arena now soundly booing Brandon McKissic, the Florida player who went down with TyTy, every time he touches the ball,” said Kentucky Sports Radio’s Tyler Thompson.