West Virginia men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries was hired this past fall, and his son, Tucker, followed his dad from Drake University.
The two came to Morgantown together, but unfortunately, Tucker’s season with the team was cut short just eight games into the year, not having stepped on the court since Dec. 6 in the home win over Georgetown.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that DeVries will miss the remainder of the year to undergo surgery on his right shoulder for a second time in the past year.
WVU will now apply for a medical redshirt with the NCAA, which would allow Tucker to come back and play a final season.
“For him (Tucker), you know, obviously, we had to shut him down, and it was one of those things like, doing everything possible to try and get him back. He wanted to be a part of this group and what we had going. Ultimately, with the doctors and things, it was something that we couldn’t get to that point, and we had to have the surgery. Darian DeVries stated in a press conference earlier this morning.
Not all bad news comes with the injury, though, and he shed some light on the new situation for Tucker. “The good part is, it’s done, it’s over, and now we’re starting a new process of a new rehab. But everything went well, so that’s great, and I know from him standpoint he’s looking forward to getting back and being healthy again in about two to three months or so.”
Coach DeVries was asked when Tucker was ever “truly healthy.” He answered, “Yeah, it was the end of his sophomore year.”
Another reporter asked if Coach DeVries spoke to his son about playing back in Morgantown, assuming all goes well with his medical redshirt. “Yeah, he’s looking forward to that, so yeah.”
WVU will look to bounce back after losing on the road against TCU Wednesday night. They take on Utah at home at the Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 8, with tipoff scheduled for 5 p.m.
