Junior forward Dwayne Smith is sidelined with concussion symptoms.
Smith, GW’s returning leading offensive rebounder, is off the court and unable to practice with the Colonials.
His recovery is “day-to-day,” head men’s basketball coach Mike Lonergan said today.
A team spokesperson said Smith is suffering from post-concussion symptoms and has yet to set an expected return date. For Smith to return to the court after suffering a concussion, he would have to be evaluated as symptom-free.
“There is no timetable for his return,” the spokesperson said.
Smith led the Colonials in offensive rebounds last season, grabbing 81 off the boards. His injury removes a dual threat from GW’s roster, sidelining a player that made solid contributions at both ends of the court last season.
He was second on the team overall in rebounding, averaging 5.1 per game. Smith earned a reputation for doing the “dirty work” for GW, finishing fourth on the team in steals, with 26, and posting 23 blocks. He netted a .400 field goal percentage on the season, grabbing 153 total rebounds and contributing 29 assists.
Lonergan said being unable to see the forward in play is frustrating, reducing the effectiveness of his ability to mold the team in practice. As Lonergan prepares to take the court with the Colonials for the first time, he’s depending on their practices as a way to assess his squad- an evaluation incomplete without the chance to see Smith, one of its top players, in action.
“Right now there’s only one guy out. Dwayne’s out,” Lonergan said, adding that the forward wasn’t out for the season “as of right now, no.”
Lonergan added that sophomore guard Nemanja Mikic has been out sick, and junior forward David Pellom was briefly sidelined while recovering from a shoulder injury, but both have returned to the court with the Colonials.
“I haven’t seen the whole team yet, which is frustrating. Injuries are part of the game, but it was a little bad luck that we had,” Lonergan said. “Nemanja just was sick, but he missed a lot of valuable time. And David had some trouble with a nagging injury, he had to rest his shoulder, but he’s pretty much back now.”
