KU’s Embiid won’t play in the Big 12 Tournament

Published on Monday, 3/10/14, at 9:56 p.m. Eastern.

By Brian Edwards

After flying to Los Angeles on Sunday and seeing a back specialist Monday morning, it was determined that Kansas freshman center Joel Embiid won’t play in this week’s Big 12 Tournament.

The University sent out a press release less than an hour ago.

Embiid is considered unlikely to play in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, too. He is recovering from a stress fracture in his back.

This is a big blow for the Jayhawks, who were beaten by West Va. without Embiid on Saturday in Morgantown. Embiid averages 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game.

Bill Self’s team is the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will face the winner of Oklahoma St. and Texas Tech in the quarterfinals.