Self: KU center Joel Embiid out vs. TCU

By Matt Tait     Feb 14, 2014

Nick Krug
Kansas State forward Thomas Gipson comes down from a dunk before Kansas players Joel Embiid, left, Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden during the second half on Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 at Bramlage Coliseum.

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self said after Friday’s practice that injured freshman Joel Embiid would not play Saturday at 3 p.m. against TCU at Allen Fieldhouse.

“He did not practice today so he will not play tomorrow,” said Self, adding that he’s anticipating that Embiid will play when KU travels to Texas Tech next Tuesday. “We’re hoping he’ll be able to practice by Sunday.”

Embiid, a 7-foot center and KU starter, has been hampered by knee and back injuries during the past couple of weeks. He played just 21 minutes during KU’s loss at Kansas State last Monday and has shown signs of the injuries impacting his play.

Self said earlier this week that Embiid suited up but did not participate in KU practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, going as far as to say he did not even shoot free throws any of those days. He was suited up again on Friday but did not participate in any portion of practice.

“He hasn’t done anything except get treatment,” Self said. “Although (his back is) a lot, lot better, it’s still not totally pain free.”

Self did not say who would start in Embiid’s place against TCU, but senior forward Tarik Black started the first few games of the season and has been dealt an increase in minutes with Embiid limited during recent weeks.

Sophomore forward Jamari Traylor also is expected to be back for Saturday’s game. Self did not play Traylor on Monday because of unspecified disciplinary reasons.

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.