New Mexico announced that former five-star prospect and prized transfer JaQuan Lyle ruptured his achilles and will miss the entire 2018-19 season.
Lyle sat out last season in Albuquerque after transferring into the program from Ohio State, where he averaged 11.3 points in two seasons for the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-5 guard was expected to play a major role for a team that had an outside shot of getting to the NCAA tournament.
“JaQuan has meant so much to our program in the short time he has been here. Unfortunately this injury postpones his return to playing the game he loves,” headcoach Paul Weir said in a statement. “But his spirits have already turned incredibly positive and we look forward to supporting him in every way possible.”
“I am going into this process trying to get 1 percent better every day, both physically and mentally, to be ready to compete next season,” Lyle said. “I am so thankful to everyone for their thoughts and considerations.”
The recovery is expected to take around six months.