CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina point guard Kendal Marshall, considered a vital part of the Tar Heels’ bid for a national championship, had surgery Monday to repair his broken right wrist, which he broke during Sunday’s NCAA tournament game.
The school confirmed the operation took place in a statement it released Monday, but it is still not known whether Marshall will be available to play in Friday’s game against the Ohio Bobcats.
Marshall is left-handed, and the injury is to his right wrist. On Monday, a screw was implanted in the fractured scaphoid bone.
On his Twitter account, Marshall wrote, “Successful morning. I’m screwed.”
Marshall’s father, Dennis, wrote Monday afternoon on Twitter that whether Kendall plays on Friday will be determined based on “what would be best for Kendall in the long term.”
“Is it impossible he plays this weekend? No, it’s not. Is it likely he plays next weekend? It definitely is. It’s something we just don’t know.”
Marshall is averaging 8.1 points and 9.75 assists, the latter ranking second in the country.
The injury occurred in the second half of Sunday’s game against Creighton when Marshall was fouled hard by Creighton’s Ethan Wragge.
Marshall hit the floor and he left the game, but returned later to play seven more minutes.
If Marshall cannot play Friday, North Carolina probably would use either freshman Stilman White or senior Justin Watts as the starting point guard.
