Shaedon Sharpe has small labral tear, re-evaluated in 10-to-14 days

Hoping to see Shaedon Sharpe play in the NBA 2K23 Summer League? 5:33 of game action and one made bucket is all we’re going to get, unfortunately.

After suffering a left shoulder injury in the first quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers’ matchup against the Detroit Pistons early Friday morning, an MRI has revealed a small labral tear for the 6-foot-6 guard.

The injury will keep him out the remainder of Summer League play, with Sharpe re-evaluated in 10-to-14 days.

Trail Blazers lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe has a small labral tear in his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated in 10-to-14 days, team says.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2022

In his first live public performance in nine months — he hasn’t played a real game since October — Sharpe finished with two points on 1-3 shooting and 0-2 from three to go with one turnover in 5:33 of play. His lone field goal came on a turnaround jumper from the left baseline.

Shaedon Sharpe pivots and knocks down a TOUGH fadeaway for his first points!

Watch the #NBA2K23SummerLeague LIVE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/4IAAxAEISo

— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2022

Portland selected Sharpe with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft back in June, the first former Kentucky player off the board.

Sharpe committed to Kentucky back in September and signed with the program in November. He then enrolled early, joining the program in January before sitting out the entire 2021-22 season. After initially testing the draft waters, Sharpe later decided to forgo his college eligibility and officially declare for the draft.

“Like I said before, everything happens for a reason,” Sharpe said during the pre-draft process. “So I really don’t regret (not) playing. I’m working out for NBA teams now. So I guess I did something right.”

He emerged as the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2022 after averaging 22.6 points per game on 48.0% shooting and 36.4% from three to go with 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest in 12 games at the 2021 Nike Peach Jam. He led the prestigious event in scoring, finishing with 20 or more points eight times, 25 or more six times, and 30 or more points twice. He also finished in the top five in total 3-pointers made.

He played a handful of games his senior year — or his post-graduate year, as later reported — at Dream City Christian, his last time competing in a competitive setting. Now after five-plus minutes of Summer League action, the wait continues with Sharpe.