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Juwan Howard announces Michigan forward Olivier Nkamhoua will miss rest of season after wrist surgery

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•02/21/24
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Dec 16, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) shoots on Eastern Michigan Eagles forward Legend Geeter (4) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A tough Michigan basketball season just received another blow as transfer forward Olivier Nkamhoua has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

According to a release from Michigan Athletics, Nkamhoua will be sidelined for the next several months to have an operation on his wrist. Here was that news as posted on the UM website:

“Men’s Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard announced Wednesday (Feb. 21) that graduate transfer Olivier Nkamhoua will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left wrist. He is expected to have three to four months of recovery.”

Unfortunately for the veteran forward, this news almost certainly means the end of his collegiate career, as Nkamhoua was already in his fifth COVID season after playing four full years at Tennessee.

With the Volunteers, he was a rotation piece of a perennial SEC contender and topped out averaging 10.8 points per game as a senior. Ultimately, though, he decided to leave Knoxville for more offensive opportunities and landed at Michigan, where he quickly became one of the team’s best contributors.

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In 2023-24, Nkamhoua averaged 14.8 points per game while shooting 51% from the field, and is the team’s leader in total points at the time of the news. For a Wolverine team that was already beat up, this is a bad blow.

Here was a statement from Nkamhoua himself on the sour news:

“Decisions like this are never easy. Playing with this injury became taxing and we knew something had to be done. I feel like I wasn’t able to finish what I came here to do; however, the support and love from the coaches, my teammates and everyone involved with this program has been so amazing.

“Coming to Ann Arbor and having the opportunity to play for a coach like Coach Howard has been something I will cherish. I cannot thank Chris (Williams) and his training staff for all he has done for me throughout this season and going forward in my recovery. I am proud to be able to say I was part of this great university. I am proud to be a Michigan Wolverine.”