In his freshman year, Buckles dazzled Cards fans with tantalizing moments of a high-flying power forward with a NBA skill set. Sadly, injuries have derailed the promising prospect.
Buckles broke his finger 24 hours before the UK game last year. It's strange to remember how major that was at the time. Now having torn both ACLs, Rakeem Buckles faces an uncertain future. The diagnosis is already in that Rock will miss all of next season rehabbing the new knee injury. Mere days after being cleared after a long rebab of the other, and the elephant in the room is obvious.
Is Rakeem Buckles basketball career over?
It's far too early to tell. Knee ligaments are tricky buggers and each person's comeback from the trauma is different. But in Rock's case we're looking at over 3 years lost for participating in competitive basketball. It's difficult to imagine a scenario where he returns to the Cardinals in the same shape and form that we saw his freshman year.
Difficult but not impossible. I hope another famous Cardinal, David Padgett, himself no stranger to overcoming knee injuries, will reach out and support Rock throughout the long journey ahead. Hell, I hope David gets an assistant gig at UofL pronto, it just feels right, and can help Buckles rehab himself.
Perhaps reading some of these tea leaves, the topic came up today in Rick Pitino's press conference, when Coach was asked if Buckles' situation changes things for Jared Swopshire, who is being ushered out the door next season by scholarship math. Pitino quickly shot down the notion, saying that since Rock will still be on scholarship, the situation is the same.
We'll see. My heart wants me to cheer on a successful comeback story in the 2013-14 season, but my brain tells me that we may have seen Rakeem Buckles play his last game as a Louisville Cardinal. No matter what his future holds, Rakeem Buckles will have the support of Cardinals everywhere.
I fear his basketball career may be over as well but I will always maintain hope. God bless Rakeem, you're in thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThis much is true: Rakeem Buckles is a complete sentence. Subject, verb. Rakeem Buckles.
ReplyDeleteFascinating, Wilkie, just fascinating insight you have.
DeleteThanks. I'm pretty clever. I also like Rock a whole lot, and I hope he make a full recovery and is able to contribute in a big way when he comes back.
DeleteIt's also true that Buckles had struggled since he hit the floor again, badly at times. I think he could be a good, solid George Goode/type backup but the NBA would be a huge longshot.
ReplyDelete