Connecticut starting forward Nik Khamenia will be out for at least six weeks due to injury.
Coach Dan Hurley said Khamenia suffered a left foot injury in the first half of UConn's game against Wagner on Nov. 9 and will have surgery.
"Nik will have surgery in the coming days and is expected to make a full recovery. He will be reevaluated in 6-8 weeks," Hurley said.
Update: pic.twitter.com/MDx9t91CNu
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) November 12, 2026
The injury happened midway through the first half against the Seahawks. Khamenia was on defense and during a shot attempt, he suddenly starting wincing in pain, keeping his left foot off the floor. He eventually went down and a trainer attended to him while he pointed at his foot before he got up.
He initially stayed in the game but after a timeout on
the court, Khamenia subbed out of the game and went to the locker room, not returning for the remainder of the game.
"He is such a gamer, such a tough guy," Hurley said postgame.
A Duke transfer, Khamenia has made an instant impact in his first season with the Huskies, starting all three games to open the season and averaging 10.7 points.
Nik Khamenia injury impact
The timing of the injury is notable, as UConn will face Ohio State, No. 11 Arizona, No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Illinois and No. 14 Kansas all without Khamenia.
With Khamenia out, Hurley will likely go to freshman Colben Landrew to join the starting five. He's already made an impact, serving as the sixth man for the Huskies as he impressed in the win over Michigan. He averages 10 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Egor Amosov, a freshman from Russia, could also see an elevated role.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nik Khamenia injury update: UConn forward out 6-8 weeks after foot surgery
