Mississippi State's All-SEC center Tolu Smith addresses injury in message to fans
Mississippi State will have to play the non-conference portion of the 2023-24 schedule without their most productive player and team leader. On Thursday evening, Bulldog senior and All-SEC center Tolu Smith addressed his recent injury and shared his outlook for his return with State basketball fans on social media.
A week ago today, Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans reported on Twitter that Smith had suffered a foot injury in practice. Jans also stated that Smith will be back on the floor during SEC competition. Sources have indicated to Maroon and White Daily that Smith’s return should be around the Christmas break.
Earlier this month, Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans reported that sophomore forward/center KeShawn Murphy will also be sidelined until the Christmas holidays due to a foot injury. Senior guard Dashawn Davis also suffered a foot injury during the summer period but he is not expected to miss any games this season.
Smith averaged a team-best 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds a game last year while ranking second in the SEC in rebounding. He has already received preseason All-SEC and All-American honors, including a couple of SEC Player of the Year mentions.
In his absence, former West Virginia transfer Jimmy Bell will move into a starting position, and he was an experienced starter during his Big 12 career the past two years. Also at the center position, the Bulldogs have true freshman Gai Chol.
