While the last few months surrounding Xavier men’s basketball have been about rebuilding the program’s roster through the NCAA transfer portal, the Musketeers still have some key pieces that they are trying to get back to full strength.
Speaking with Jon Rothstein on the College Hoops Today podcast on Monday, Xavier coach Sean Miller said forward Jerome Hunter has been cleared for non-contact activities.
Xavier’s Jerome Hunter (Achilles) has been cleared for non-contact work and expects to be cleared for full contact in the fall, according to Sean Miller.
DNP last season due to injury.
Averaged 7.8 PPG and 4.4 RPG two years ago when the Musketeers reached the Sweet 16 in 2023.
-Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 15, 2024
“He (Hunter) is where he needs to be in terms of surgery, rehab, etc.,” Miller told Rothstein on the podcast.
Miller added that Hunter could be ready for Xavier’s season opener on Nov. 4 against Texas Southern if he continues to progress.
“We will clear him for contact, assuming he stays on course, early in the fall, which would give him, I think, a good runway of a few months to prepare, play 5-on-5 and get back there, where we are optimistic , he could be ready for the season opener,” Miller said.
Xavier’s disappointing 2023-24 season began last summer when Hunter He suffered a cardiac episode and was sidelined for an indefinite period of time. Hunter returned to practice in a limited capacity in December and began contact practice in January as a regular participant on the Boy Scout team before suffering an Achilles tendon injury in February.
Hunter averaged 6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game over two seasons at Xavier, helping lead the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 in 2023.
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier coach Sean Miller provides update on Jerome Hunter injury
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