Knee injury sidelines freshman forward Ji for year

Hawaii forward Ji Xiang's introduction to college basketball will have to wait a year.

The 6-foot-10 freshman from China will sit out this season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He suffered the injury during the Rainbow Warriors' scrimmage at Twilight Ohana last Friday and will have four years of eligibility remaining when he returns.

Ji had an MRI performed Saturday and the UH staff received the results yesterday. UH coach Bob Nash said he was surprised by the diagnosis since the injury didn't initially appear serious.

"I'm sure he's devastated, but he also understands that there's certain things you can't control and an injury is one of those things you can't control," said Nash, who had planned on playing Ji this season.

Nash said the medical staff will determine the course of treatment and wouldn't speculate on how long it might be before Ji could resume basketball- related activity.

Ji signed with UH just before the start of the fall semester in August, making him the program's first recruit from China.