CJ Fredrick Sets A Time Period To Return
Updated: Feb 14, 2022
Last May, CJ Fredrick decided to transfer back closer to home, leaving Iowa to throw on a blue jersey and play in the iconic Rupp Arena. With an eye for a decorated career to take place in Lexington, he found a bump in the road.
After already dealing with a preexisting leg injury upon arriving to campus, the staff decided it was best to go ahead and sit him this season so that he could medically take care of it. Fredrick underwent surgery in mid-November on his left hamstring and the team announced he would likely miss the remainder of the season.
"This news hurts so much because I love this team and we have a great group of guys," Fredrick said. "I have the best teammates, coaches, medical staff, friends and family that will get me back where I need to be. We have a very special team this season and I will do whatever I can to support the team. I am looking forward to working hard and being the player I want to be for next season. I appreciate all the support of Big Blue Nation during this difficult time. My journey looks a little different, but I will be back."
Fast forward to February and that news is starting to look like it’s not far from happening. Before Kentucky’s game versus Florida on February 12th, CJ Fredrick sat down with the UK Sports Network pregame show to preview the game and talk about his rehab process on his leg this season. He told the hosts that he thinks he will be able to start doing some basketball stuff “at the end of April heading into May,” but should be back to 100% by the end of May. That is terrific news and it looks like he is on pace to get things rolling directly after the season ends.
The 2022-23 Cats will be getting a shooter who shot 46.1% in 2019-20 and led the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage, and was also the best 3-point percentage freshman in Iowa school history. That mark even went up to 47.4% this last season as a redshirt sophomore. In his Hawkeye career, he has 11 games with three or more 3-pointers.
The Cincinnati native reached double-figure scoring 19 times in his Iowa career with four games of 20 or more points. He scored a career-best 23 points on a career-high-tying five three-pointers at Minnesota on Christmas last year. An absolute loaded shooter that will make a home behind the three-point arc next season.