Dec. 6, 2009
Santa Clara's leading scorer Kevin Foster, the West Coast Conference's second-leading scorer this season, is out indefinitely with a right foot injury. Foster has a fracture of the fifth metatarsal that will require surgery in Santa Clara over the holidays. If he doesn't come back this year, he does qualify for a medical redshirt and will be able to play three more years.
Bronco head coach Kerry Keating said Saturday night after the UNLV game (UNLV won 66-63) that he will know more specifically how long Foster will be out after they talk to the doctor post-surgery. Keating added an injury like Foster's normally requires 2-3 months of recovery prior to any contact.
Foster, a 6-2, 215lb. guard from Katy, Texas (Morton Ranch) injured his foot in the final minutes of Santa Clara's 79-68 victory at UCSB on Dec. 1. He did not play in the 66-63 loss to No. 21 UNLV on Saturday night in Santa Clara.
"Obviously we are very disappointed for Kevn," said Keating. "Kevin was playing 31 minutes a game and as our leading scorer, he will hard to replace. This will give him a chance to rehab the injury, get fully recovered and continue to find himself on and off the court as the leading scorer of a young team. It's hard for everyone, but we can't stop or slow down. With Kevin out it will give our young guys more time on the court."
"Injuries happen and we know this will be difficult for Kevin. It will be difficult for the entire team," continued Keating. "If it's a season-ending injury, he will be able to redshirt which is a real positive in this situation. We will have nine scholarship players when Ben Dowdell, who missed the last four games with a calf injury, returns next week. We just have to keep working hard and continuing to get better."
Foster is second in the league in scoring and leads the WCC in steals and three-pointers made. This season Foster was averaging 19.8 ppg, playing 31.5 mpg with 2.2 spg and 2.8 rpg. He has led the Broncos in scoring in each of the six games he's played this season, including a season-high 25 points in the 74-67 win over Fresno State on Nov. 28.
Foster was named to the preseason WCC all-conference team this year after being named the WCC Newcomer of the Year last season, breaking Steve Nash's single season record with 85 three pointers. He was also named a Freshman All-American, to the WCC All-Freshman team and All-WCC honorable mention. He averaged 14.7 ppg and 2.4 rpg last season, breaking Kurt Rambis' freshman scoring record with 486 points.
