In the midst of a promising season, Vanderbilt University’s men’s basketball team has been dealt a setback with the indefinite sidelining of forward Kijani Wright due to a non-basketball related health issue. The university has chosen not to disclose further details out of respect for Wright’s privacy.
Wright, a 6-foot-9 transfer from the University of Southern California, brought a wealth of experience to the Commodores’ roster. During his two-year stint with the Trojans, he saw action in 57 games, averaging 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. His standout performance came against Oregon State, where he scored a career-high 12 points.
Prior to his collegiate career, Wright was a highly touted recruit, earning McDonald’s All-American honors at Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles. He also represented the United States on the international stage, suiting up for USA Basketball’s U16 national team at the FIBA Americas Championships.
First-year coach Mark Byington, who took the reins at Vanderbilt in late March, is no stranger to success. With an impressive 220-137 record over 11 seasons, including a remarkable 82-36 mark during his four-year tenure at James Madison, Byington is poised to lead the Commodores to new heights despite this early setback.
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