NCAA News Wire

Arizona F Ashley done for season

Arizona forward Brandon Ashley will miss the rest of the season as a result of a foot injury suffered in Saturday’s 60-58 loss to Cal, the school announced Sunday.

“Last night, early in our Cal game, Brandon Ashley suffered a foot injury that will end his season,” Arizona head coach Sean Miller said in the statement released Sunday. “While we’re all disappointed, we are also aware that Brandon needs our support and positive energy surrounding him. Someone once told me, the hottest heat forges the strongest steel. This adversity will ultimately make Brandon and our team stronger moving forward.”

The school did not provide a precise diagnosis of Ashley’s injury, but Miller had said after Saturday’s game, he thought Ashley has suffered a broken foot.

Ashley is averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He suffered the injury three minutes into Saturday’s game when he landed awkwardly after missing a shot.

He returned to the bench and was in a walking boot and on crutches in the second half. A source told ESPN.com that Ashley will not play again this season.

The Wildcats (21-1) are likely to drop from the No. 1 spot in the rankings when the polls are released on Monday.

“We have to get back to the drawing board and make sure we can move forward if Brandon is not with us,” Miller said Saturday.

Ashley will be replaced in the starting lineup by freshman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who averages 8.0 points and 5.4 rebounds.