Posted at 6:33 a.m., Thursday, July 19, 2007
NBA: Houston draft pick injures ankle in Australia
Associated Press
BRISBANE, Australia — Houston Rockets draft pick Brad Newley injured his ankle today while training with the Australian men's team in Queensland state.The guard will undergo scans Friday to determine the extent of the injury, but it is thought that he may have a ligament tear.
Houston took 6-foot (1.83-meter) Newley with the 54th overall pick in the NBA draft last month.
Newley is expected to be fit for Australia's Oceania Men's Championship series against New Zealand in August, where the victor is guaranteed a place at the 2008 Olympics. It is unknown if he'll take part in the Australian team's tour of Europe beginning July 28.
"We're hoping it's not serious and he'll be right for the tour but we wont know the extent of the severity until tomorrow," Australia coach Brian Goorjian said.
Newley is expected to receive intensive treatment for his injury in Adelaide.
"It's the most common injury in basketball," said team physiotherapist Steve Evans. "It was just bad luck and is not related in any way to fatigue.
"He is able to put weight on it, so we think it might be a week to 10-day thing."
Australia will play Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Turkey and Slovenia on its European tour.
