Jordan Adams jump-started a come-from-behind win that sent UCLA to the Pac-12 Tournament Championship game, but when the final buzzer sounded, Adams winced in pain and limped off the court. Soon after, the freshman guard found out his season was over.
Adams said he broke his right foot after twisting it, without any other contact, while defending on the final play of the 66-64 semifinal win over Arizona. UCLA announced the official diagnosis as a broken fifth metatarsal bone. A team spokesman added that Adams broke the same foot while in high school.
Wildcats forward Solomon Hill used a pump fake on a three-point attempt to draw Adams in the air. Adams landed and immediately hobbled off the court as Hill missed a contested two-point shot that sealed UCLA’s win.
While icing his foot in the MGM Grand Garden Arena locker room immediately after the game, Adams didn’t think he had seriously injured his foot. After he was whisked away for X-rays that confirmed the break, he returned with his foot in a walking boot and applied no pressure to it, using crutches to walk.
Adams wasn’t emotional after hearing the news.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said.
Without Adams, UCLA lost in the Pac-12 Tournament finals to Oregon. While the Bruins missed out on the automatic seed that comes with winning the conference tournament, they managed to get the No. 6 seed, which will take them to Austin for their first game on Friday against No. 11 seed Minnesota.
Compiled by Ryan Menezes and Emma Coghlan, Bruin Sports senior staff. With contributing reports from Sam Strong, Bruin Sports senior staff.
I was at the game and saw how Jordan played. I wish him a fast recovery and want him to know that all Bruins love him and want him back ASAP.
IMHO, he is our BEST player. BETTER than Shabbaz or Kyle in his own way. Shabbaz gets all the media hype but Jordan is the REAL THING.
I also believe it would be Shabbaz’s best long term interest if he stayed one more year in college. He is NOT ready for NBA and will be lost just like most of the guys who think they are better than they really are. come read this post 3 years from now.