Kansas C Embiid to sit out Saturday

Seventh-ranked Kansas ruled out freshman standout Joel Embiid for Saturday’s home game against TCU because of knee and back injuries.

Coach Bill Self said after Friday’s practice that the 7-foot center from Cameroon would rest this weekend in hopes of returning to the court on Tuesday night when the Jayhawks play at Texas Tech.

“He did not practice today so he will not play tomorrow,” Self said. “We’re hoping he’ll be able to practice by Sunday.”

The Lawrence Journal-World reported that Embiid dressed but sat out practice all week after he was restricted to 21 minutes in Kansas’ loss to Kansas State on Monday night because of the ailments.

The nagging injuries have limited Embiid to 18 minutes or fewer in the past three games.

“He hasn’t done anything except get treatment,” Self said, according to the Journal-World. “Although (his back is) a lot, lot better, it’s still not totally pain free.”

Embiid is averaging 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game this season, but just 7.3 points in the past three games.

Senior forward Tarik Black is expected to pick up more minutes as he has done the past few games in Embiid’s absense. Black has averaged 8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in the three games.

Sophomore forward Jamari Traylor did not play against Kansas State because of disciplinary action but returns Saturday and also could take up some of the slack with Embiid out.