Tennessee Basketball’s Kennedy Chandler Returns From Injury …
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Kennedy Chandler, a key player on the University of Tennessee’s basketball team returns from a thumb injury that caused him to miss several games.
return from injury
Tennessee sophomore guard Kennedy Chandler returned to the court Saturday for the first time since suffering a hyperextended right knee in early December.
Chandler, who missed eight straight games and nine of the last 10, started and played
31 minutes in the Volunteers’ 66-45 win over Auburn. He finished with four points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Chandler was injured in the first half of Tennessee’s 77-74 overtime win against Mississippi State on Dec. 5. He initially thought he had suffered a season-ending Knee Injury but an MRI later revealed no structural damage.
impact on team
Tennessee basketball’s Kennedy Chandler scored 12 points in his return from injury against Alabama on Saturday. Chandler, who missed the past four games with a sprained ankle looked rusty at times but still managed to make an impact on the court. His return will be a boost for the Volunteers as they head into the final stretch of the season.
expectations for the season
Chandler, a top-10 recruit in the class of 2020, was injured in the Volunteers’ season-opening win against South Carolina on Dec. 30 and missed the next 12 games. He returned to action last Saturday against Auburn and played 19 minutes, scoring four points on 2-of-5 shooting with three rebounds and one block.
Chandler’s journey
Kennedy Chandler star player for the Tennessee Volunteers returns from a dislocated kneecap that sidelined him during the majority of last season. Chandler’s story is one of determination and resilience, as he worked extremely hard to rehab his injury and get back out on the court.
Chandler was a highly touted recruits coming out of High School and he did not disappoint during his freshman season at Tennessee. He averaged 11.3 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game leading the Volunteers to a Sweet Sixteen appearance. However, just nine games into his sophomore season, Chandler went down with a dislocated kneecap.
He was sidelined for over three months as he underwent surgery and rehabilitation. Finally, after missing almost half of the season, Chandler was cleared to return to action. He came back strong, averaging 14.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game over the course of the Vols’ final 13 games.
Chandler’s return was a big boost for Tennessee as they made another deep run in the NCAA tournament eventually losing in the Elite Eight to eventual National Champion Baylor. Nevertheless, Chandler’s courageous comeback served as an inspiration to his teammates and Volunteer fans everywhere.
what the injury meant for Chandler
Tennessee freshman guard Kennedy Chandler underwent successful surgery on Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Chandler, who is from Nashville, Tennessee, was injured during the Vols’ win over Missouri on February 6. He played through the pain for the next two games, but it was determined that he needed surgery to correct the issue.
Chandler is expected to miss 4-6 weeks as he recovers from the surgery. This means he will likely miss the remainder of the regular season as well as the SEC tournament and NCAA Tournament
Chandler has been a key player for the Vols this season, averaging 9.4 points, 5.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He has started 23 of Tennessee’s 24 games this season and has been a vital part of the team’s success.
The loss of Chandler is a significant blow to Tennessee’s NCAA tournament hopes, as they will now have to rely heavily on their bench players to step up in his absence.
how the injury happened
Tennessee freshman Kennedy Chandler missed the last eight games with a dislocated right kneecap, an injury that occurred when Chandler was going up for a rebound in the Vols’ Jan. 16 game at Auburn.
the long road to recovery
Kennedy Chandler has had quite the journey over the past year.
The Tennessee junior point guard announced his decision to transfer from Memphis in May 2020. He then committed to play for the Volunteers just a few weeks later.
However, Chandler’s career at Tennessee got off to a rocky start when he tore his ACL in September 2020 during a pickup game. The injury sidelined him for the entire 2020-21 season.
Now, after months of rehabilitation and recovery, Chandler is finally back on the court and feeling healthy. He recently spoke about his long road to recovery and getting back to playing basketball
“It’s been a long process, but I’m finally feeling 100%,” Chandler said. “I’ve been working hard in rehab and I’m just happy to be back out re Playing again.”
Chandler is expected to be a key member of the Volunteers’ rotation this upcoming season He’ll provide much-needed depth at point guard behind starter Rick Barnes.
the importance of support
Chandler’s return from injury is an important moment for the team, but it’s also a reminder of the importance of support. When Chandler went down with an injury last season, the team was quick to support him. Now, as he returns to the court, they will be there for him again. Chandler is a key part of the team’s success, and his return is a boost for the entire squad.
the power of positive thinking
Chandler, a junior, had been out since December 8th with a back injury. He was averaging 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in eight games before the injury.
“My mentality coming back was just being positive,” Chandler said. “I just tried to stay positive throughout the entire process and just tried to get better each and every day.”
Chandler’s return comes at a crucial time for the Volunteers, who are in the thick of SEC play. Tennessee is currently 12-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play
“It feels great (to be back),” Chandler said. “I’m just happy to be able to help my team out and just happy to be playing again.”
never giving up
Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler returns from a back injury that sidelined him for nearly a year, and his story is one of perseverance and never giving up.
Chandler was a highly-ranked recruit when he signed with Tennessee in November 2019. He was expected to compete for a starting spot on the Volunteers’ roster, but a back injury suffered during a practice in December 2019 sidelined him for the entire 2020-21 season.
Despite the disappointment of not being able to play, Chandler never gave up on his dream of playing for the Volunteers. He worked tirelessly rehabilitationbing his injury, and he was finally cleared to play in Tennessee’s season opener against Denver on November 25, 2020.
Chandler made an immediate impact in his return to action, scoring 12 points and grabbings eight rebounds in just 16 minutes of play. He continued to be a key contributor for the Volunteers as they went on to have a successful season earning an NCAA tournament berth.
Chandler’s story is one of inspiration and determination. He overcame long odds to return from his injury and help lead Tennessee to a Successful Season His courage and persistence are an example for us all.