The 6-foot-10 sophomore injured his shooting wrist in the second half of Kansas University’s 82-66 victory over Texas on Saturday, and the next day he wasn’t sure if he could play against the Cyclones on Monday.

“It bothered me a lot yesterday (Sunday),” he said. “I didn’t think I would be able to play.”

Monday was a new day, though, and the day between games gave Gooden just enough time to let the wrist heal.

“I got medical treatment on it yesterday and today,” he said. “I came in early today and shot around and I felt all right.”

While his mother and grandparents were in attendance, it was the chance to beat Iowa State that gave him the desire to play with the injured wrist.

“If I couldn’t have played, I couldn’t have played,” he said, “but I knew I could play and I knew this was a big game for our team so I wanted to play.”

Prepared to take on the Cyclones, Gooden still didn’t know he was starting until just before tipoff when coach Roy Williams asked him if he was able.

“I didn’t get the OK until after the warm-up,” Gooden said. “He (Williams) was like, ‘Can you go?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.'”

Gooden came out strong in the first half, connecting on four of seven shots and scoring 11 points. His layup 21/2 minutes into the game gave KU a 7-6 lead, its last advantage. He hit a three-pointer from the right corner late in the first half.

The second half didn’t go as well for Gooden, who shot 1-of-4 from the field and scored just three points after the break.

“I think it was the defense,” he said.

Gooden was sure the wrist would be healed for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State.

“I’m all right,” he said. “I’ll be all right.”