Pegues, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound sophomore, tore the ACL in his left knee playing in a pickup game over the weekend and, after evaluation by WKU’s doctors, will undergo season-ending surgery before the end of the week.
“We are extremely disappointed for A’Darius because he has worked so hard to get to this point,” said WKU head coach Darrin Horn. “Our main concern is for A’Darius’ personal well-being and getting him on the road to recovery.”
A native of Louisville, Ky., Pegues sat out last year after missing his senior season at Western High with an injury. He averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game as a junior — his first year of organized basketball — while being named to the district all-tournament team at the end of the year. The third ranked player in his region entering the 2006-07 season, Pegues was rated as high as 82nd in the nation by Rivals.com prior to the start of the ’05-06 campaign.
The Hilltoppers, who are coming off a 22-win season, officially begin practice Friday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. WKU’s first public appearance of the year will come on Thursday, Oct. 25, when the program takes part in a Red-White scrimmage at 7 p.m., which will also include a half-hour autograph session prior to tip-off.
