Valparaiso star Alec Peters expected to miss the rest of the season
Alec Peters’ college career is likely over
The Valparaiso star is not expected to play again this season because of a left leg injury, a source confirmed to Yahoo Sports on Wednesday night. The Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune was the first to report the news.
Valparaiso had been hoping the injury would improve in time for Peters to participate in this week’s Horizon League tournament, but it didn’t heal quickly enough. The Crusaders decided they couldn’t jeopardize the long-term health of a skilled 6-foot-9 forward who is likely to be selected in next June’s NBA draft.
Peters is one of college basketball’s hidden gems, a premier player at a program that is a bit off the radar. He was averaging 23 points and 10.1 rebounds for Valparaiso before this injury sidelined him for the Crusaders’ final two regular season games.
One of the great stories from this past summer was the loyalty Peters showed to Valparaiso. The heralded forward chose to stay with the Crusaders even after coach Bryce Drew left for Vanderbilt and dozens of high-major programs reached out through back channels urging him to consider leaving as a graduate transfer.
Not having Peters for the Horizon League tournament is a crushing blow for a Valparaiso team that otherwise might have been the favorite. The Crusaders (24-7, 14-4) were in position to win the league outright before Peters’ injury, but a loss in their regular season finale dropped them into a first-place tie with Oakland (24-7, 14-4).
Now Oakland becomes the favorite to win the Horizon League tournament and secure the conference’s automatic bid.
Peters will only be able to cheer on his teammates, a cruel ending to one heck of a college career.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
