After becoming a fan favorite in his first season on the Loyola men’s basketball team, rising sophomore guard Cooper Kaifes will miss the 2019-20 season after suffering a torn labrum in his hip.
Loyola head coach Porter Moser said Kaifes is scheduled to have surgery to repair the injury July 2. Kaifes will receive a medical redshirt, meaning he’ll have three years of eligibility remaining upon his return for the 2020-21 season.
Moser also says fan favorite Cooper Kaifes tore his labrum and will have season-ending surgery. He will medically redshirt the 2019-20 season. #MVCHoops
— Nick Schultz (@NickSchultz_7) July 1, 2019
“I know Cooper’s hurting having to sit out this year, but we’ve gone through this before with injuries,” Moser said on a conference call with Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) coaches and members of the media. “Next man up.”
Kaifes shot a team-high 46.5 percent from the three-point line last season and was named to the MVC All-Freshman team. His absence opens the door for newcomers to make an impact in the lineup. Moser pointed to junior-college transfers Keith Clemons and Jalon Pipkins as well as rising first-years Marquise Kennedy and Paxson Wojcik to fill the void left by Kaifes.
On the same conference call, Moser said rising junior guard Lucas Williamson had successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee five weeks ago and is a “full go” for practices and workouts. Williamson missed eight games with a broken hand last year before suffering a setback and missing 10 more games.
Without Kaifes, Loyola is set to return eight healthy players from last year’s roster — including Williamson and first team All-MVC center Cameron Krutwig — while adding five recruits.
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