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Albany shuts down guard Tanner Gibson due to foot injury, unsure of his future

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After losing Logan Aronhalt (transferred to Maryland) and the high-scoring Gerardo Suero (21.6 ppg) from last season’s 19-win team, the Albany Great Danes had room in their perimeter rotation for the seldom-used Tanner Gibson to earn some playing time.

But that wasn’t in the cards for Gibson this season, as a stress fracture in his left foot that’s been an issue since the spring prohibited him from taking part in any basketball activities.

Thursday head coach Will Brown announced the decision to shut Gibson down for the remainder of the 2012-13 campaign, and what makes it worse is the fact that Brown doesn’t even know if Gibson will be able to play again.

“I am sure he is upset by this,” said Brown, who added he did not have to announce Gibson as a medical redshirt right now. “You just don’t know if he will ever heal or will ever be able to play again. It just stinks for the kid because he is a great kid and a hard worker.”

Gibson played in 24 of Albany’s 34 games last season, averaging 5.1 minutes and 0.8 points per game. The foot, which he originally injured in high school, began to give him issues after the season and the various treatment strategies haven’t solved the problem.

With guards Mike Black and Jacob Iati leading the way the Great Danes have been one of the best teams in America East, as they currently have a 13-4 record (2-1 America East) and are capable of being a contender for the league’s NCAA tournament bid.

But regardless of how small Gibson’s role could have been with this group it would have been nice for him to at the very least be healthy enough for the ride. Gibson will be on the bench for both home and away games and while he may be able to gain some solace from being with his teammates it simply isn’t the same.

Now it’s not only a matter of the foot injury ruling him out this season but also the possibility of not being able to play again, and that’s a terrible prospect to have to deal with.

Photo credit: University at Albany Athletics

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.