Earlier today we updated you that Duke basketball forward Ryan Kelly was undergoing surgery on his right foot, the same one that kept him out of 13 ACC games this season.
In a press release, the team announced that today's surgery was successful, and it will keep Kelly sidelined for approximately 12 weeks. The operation took place at Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center by Dr. James Nunley. According to Nunley's DukeHealth profile, his clinical interests are, "Foot and ankle surgery, arthritis and sports injuries of the foot and ankle, ankle replacement."
The 12-week recovery period should have Kelly returning right around the time of June 27's NBA Draft, though that means he will likely miss all the chances of evaluation before the draft, both at the combine and team-specific ones.
"Ryan has been a terrific member of the Duke program throughout his career and has a bright professional future,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the press release. “He showed amazing courage playing during the last part of our season leading us to the Eight Eight. With this surgery Ryan is expected to return to 100% and pursue his dream of playing in the NBA.”
Kelly won the ACC Player of the Week award twice this season but aggravated an existing foot injury Jan. 8 against Clemson. He subsequently sat out until the team's home game against Miami March 2, when he scored 36 points in a triumphant return.
Kelly finished the season averaging 12.9 points per game but struggled late in the season while playing through his injury. In the NCAA Tournament, Kelly averaged just 6.3 points per game and made only 1-of-13 3-pointers.
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