Blow for Knight as calf gives way again
Perth Wildcats star Matt Knight will miss the Boomers' Stankovic Cup campaign next month after tearing his left calf muscle again.
Knight will be out for at least three weeks, forcing him to miss the Boomers training camp on the Gold Coast next week and the international tournament in China.
The injury has also cast doubt over his chances of being selected for the three-game Olympic qualifying series against New Zealand in September and will limit his preparations for the NBL season.
The latest setback is the third time Knight has hurt his left calf since December.
The latest injury happened while Knight was playing for Willetton in the State Basketball League on Saturday, his first game since straining the calf muscle last month.
Knight managed just four minutes on court for the Tigers in their 104-92 loss to Perry Lakes at the WA Basketball Centre.
"He's done a slight re-aggravation of the tear," Wildcats physiotherapist Dave Philpot said.
"We were obviously pushing to get him fit for the Boomers camp and we had to test it, but unfortunately he didn't get through.
"It's a small step backwards and it puts him out of contention for the Boomers, unfortunately."
Knight should not have even been playing on Saturday. Basketball WA competitions manager Christian Rice confirmed the 26-year-old centre was still on Willetton's official injury list and therefore ineligible.
The Tigers are likely to receive a reprimand for fielding an ineligible player.
Philpot was confident Knight would be well prepared for the start of the NBL season in October but admitted the injury was a concern.
"He's obviously got a weakness in his calf and he's susceptible to injury in that calf," Philpot said.
Wildcats forward Jesse Wagstaff and guard Damian Martin were also named in the 24-man Boomers squad and will take part in the Gold Coast camp.
Martin is virtually guaranteed a Stankovic Cup berth, while young gun Wagstaff faces stiff opposition for a place in the team from a host of players based overseas.
In positive news for the Wildcats, co-captain Shawn Redhage is well ahead of schedule in his rehab- ilitation after sustaining a dislocated hip in January.
Redhage has impressed the Wildcats with his work on court and in the gym, but his biggest challenge will come when he resumes contact work late next month.
The Wildcats' pre-season will begin on August 15 and will include at least three series against invitational, NBL and international opposition.
