Stress fracture will sideline Arthur

Get breaking news on your cell phone!Click Here to view this Link.

DALLAS/LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas head coach Bill Self announced that sophomore forward Darrell Arthur has a stress fracture in his lower left leg and will not represent the USA U19 Team in the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship (players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 1988) that will be held July 12-22 in Novi Sad, Serbia.

"Darrell has been experiencing pain for the last week and the MRI results confirmed he has a stress fracture in his left leg," Self said. "Like most stress fractures, he will have to receive treatment and will be out four to six weeks. This will prevent him from making the trip to Serbia."

Arthur, a 6-8, 230-pound Dallas native, was one of 12 players selected for the USA U19 squad after trying out in Dallas late June. Following the tryouts, Arthur and his USA teammates continued to prepare in Dallas, participating in exhibition contests and in the Global Games.

Arthur said he began to feel pain in his lower left leg following workouts on Tuesday, July 3.

"I thought it was just tendonitis or something and I would be able to play through it," Arthur said. "The trainer told me to see the doctor and after some tests he confirmed it was a stress fracture and I would be out a month or two. When I heard it was a stress fracture, I was surprised.

"I was pretty upset when I first heard," Arthur added. "I really wanted to travel with this team. I have never been overseas, and I put in some good work to be a part of this team. I'm glad it wasn't a more serious injury and I should be fine with treatment. I wish this team all the best in bringing home the gold in Serbia."

Arthur said he will return to Lawrence to start rehabilitation next week instead of making the trip.

"I am disappointed for Shady," Self said of Arthur, whose nickname is Shady. "He did very well in Dallas and was expected to play well in Serbia representing our country. If this had to happen, it was good it happened now because we expect a complete recovery and for him to be at full speed before the start of school."