UCLA will be without redshirt junior forward Alex Olesinki for the start of the season, as he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot.
According to a report from Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, the 6-foot-10 Olesinski is expected to miss two-to-three months with the injury as the Bruins lose a veteran frontcourt rotation player. Appearing in every game for UCLA as a sophomore last season, Olesinski averaged 17.6 minutes per contest as he averaged 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
A floor-spacing big man, Olesinski’s 36 percent three-point shooting makes him a solid rotation member since he can step out and provide additional spacing in the frontcourt. UCLA has a lot of talented freshmen big men on its roster this season, but Olesinski was a veteran who had a known skill the team could use.
The injury is also concerning because it is the second time Olesinski has suffered a stress fracture in his foot during his time at UCLA. Olesinski’s true sophomore season in 2016-17 was wiped out after he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot.
Olesinski should return to play this season, but he could miss a lot of action early in the season.