Basketball
St Mary's and Australia guard Patrick Mills ruled out with broken hand
January 31, 2009
AUSTRALIAN basketballer Patrick Mills is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks after breaking two bones in his right hand during a game for his US college team St Mary's.
Scans on Friday revealed the worst for the St Mary's point guard who suffered the injury late in the first half of Thursday night's 69-62 loss to Gonzaga.
Mills was in the midst of a spectacular night out having already scored 18 points against Gonzaga before being injured.
He accompanied the team to Portland before heading back home with team officials admitting surgery remained an option.
"That was the longest half I've ever had, ever," Mills said.
"Even now, you just can't do anything but sit and watch. I've fallen like that so many times before. I've jammed my fingers a whole number of times, but it usually goes back into place. I was hoping to get better straight away."
Mills, who was on the Australian team at the Beijing Olympics, has been having a brilliant second season and is his team's leading scorer with 18.7 points per game.
He is likely to leave college after this season and declare his eligibility for the NBA draft.
Mills had no concerns his teammates could move on without him.
"No question," he said. "They know what to do. They know what's at stake."
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24988951-23769,00.html