Indiana men’s basketball fifth-year senior point guard Xavier Johnson will not return for the remainder of the season, IU Athletics announced Saturday afternoon. Johnson suffered a broken foot against the University of Kansas on Dec. 17 and has not played since exiting the game.
Johnson said in a press release that he hopes to acquire a medical hardship waiver in order to gain another year of eligibility at Indiana.
“After consulting with my family, coaches and medical staff, I’ve decided to rest for the remainder of the season and will not be returning to competition,” Johnson said. “After healing my foot, my focus will be to pursue a medical hardship waiver and return to playing for the Hoosiers next season.”
Optimism for Johnson’s return after his surgery peaked on Tuesday when he participated in full pregame warmups and was dressed for Indiana’s game against Iowa. Still, head coach Mike Woodson was never certain that his point guard would return, he explained in multiple interviews over the past couple months.
Johnson averaged 9.9 points and 4.9 assists in 11 games this season.
