Jalen Suggs exits game for No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs with injury

Jalen Suggs, the electrifying Gonzaga freshman and projected first-round NBA draft pick, suffered what appeared to be a serious-looking left ankle injury in the first half of the team’s matchup against No. 11 West Virginia at the Jimmy V Classic in Indianapolis on Wednesday night but was able to return to the game in the second half.

Suggs was running toward the rim after making a pass to teammate Joel Ayayi when he appeared to slip and stumble awkwardly late in the first half. The five-star recruit was holding the back of his left ankle as coach Mark Few ran onto the court. Few helped carry the 6-foot-4 wing off the floor to the sideline.

Suggs was grimacing while he sat on a seat as athletic trainers talked to him. He eventually left and walked toward the locker room without assistance and could be seen later gingerly walking back and forth in the tunnel.

But Suggs rejoined the Bulldogs on the bench in the second half and then reentered the game with 15:53 to play, albeit hobbling initially.

Suggs has been one of the brightest young stars in college basketball’s opening week. His debut for the top-ranked Bulldogs in last week’s win over Kansas included acrobatic dunks and stunning passes.

Suggs, who won both Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football in Minnesota last year, is projected to be the 18th pick in ESPN’s latest 2021 mock NBA draft.