Darrell Arthur’s USA Basketball Under 19 Select teammates haven’t forgotten their injured comrade as they steamroll the competition in Serbia.
“Raymar Morgan, DeAndre Jordan : all the guys text me every day,” Arthur, Kansas University’s sophomore power forward, said of players on the U.S. squad that has coasted to a 5-0 record at the FIBA Under 19 World Championships.
“As soon as they got there, some of the guys IM’ed (instant message) me and said, ‘We miss you. We wish you were here.’ I said, ‘I feel the same,'” Arthur added Tuesday after rehab workouts in the pool and weight room at KU.
Arthur – who impressed at tryout sessions in his hometown of Dallas – was unable to travel with the U.S. team overseas after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left leg on July 6.
He’s to miss four to six weeks of basketball.
“It’s tough because I went back home and put in the work. I liked playing with those guys. We had a lot of good chemistry,” Arthur said. “There’s something about that team : we really clicked. It felt like we knew each other a long time. It was fun.”
For Arthur, the fun ended when he felt pain below his knee just days before the team was to head to Serbia.
“I thought it was tendinitis,” Arthur explained. “It kept getting worse and worse, so the trainer suggested we see the Dallas Mavericks’ doctor. The X-ray showed it clearly was a stress fracture. The MRI showed it was active, in full force. They told me I had to sit out about six weeks and suggested I come back to school for treatment rather than go overseas.”
Arthur doesn’t wear a brace or walk with a limp.
“I don’t feel hurt,” he said. “It’s got to heal on its own, basically. I’m doing treatment with a bone stimulator to help it heal quicker. They said I’ll be able to do some running after four weeks. There’s nothing I can do but rest it.”
Arthur is on the same workout schedule as Brandon Rush, who is out following ACL surgery. Arthur said he’s keeping a positive attitude.
“I’d rather get hurt now than have gotten hurt over there,” he said of Serbia. “Coach (Bill) Self said it was a tough break, but to stay positive, have a positive attitude, do what I need to do to get better.”
Arthur is already dreaming about his sophomore season.
“I am trying to be the best I can this year,” said the 225-pounder, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 boards as a freshman. “I’m going tyo try to help my team out and get a national championship, get farther than we did last year, hopefully. We’ve got seniors now who will guide us through the whole year. We can be great.”
As far as his own contributions : Arthur said “13 points and double-figure rebounds” a game would show natural progress.
“Last year I was real excited out there. I was getting the ball and putting it up too quick, taking quick shots. I’ve calmed down a little bit, trying to get in the flow of the game. I’m trying to do better than I did last year,” Arthur said, adding he won’t be distracted by talk of possibly turning pro all next season.
“I guess I’ll handle it like last year and see what happens. Whatever happens, happens, I guess,” Arthur said, noting he never considered turning pro after his freshman season.
“I told coach as soon as we got back (from Elite Eight loss) I wasn’t going anywhere. I was staying. We were just too close last year. Hopefully we’ll do better this year.”
