Louisville has been without one of its expected contributors through the first few days of practice.
Donovan Mitchell, a sophomore guard, has missed four practices due to a concussion, though he is expected to return to the court next week, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal citing coach Rick Pitino’s appearance on a local radio program.
Pitino said that freshman V.J. King would start in Mitchell’s place were the season to start today.
As a freshman, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range.
The Cardinals, who potentially could open the season as a top-10 ranked team, are also dealing with an injury to forward Mangok Mathiang, who was expected to return to practice Nov. 1 from a foot injury, but it’s “too early to tell,” if that timetable will stand, Pitino said, per the Courier-Journal.