By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna coach Sergio Scariolo saw his star center Ekpe Udoh suffering a serious knee injury after slipping on an on-court sticker early during the win over Tortona for the Italian SuperCup quarterfinals.
“We are in shock and worried,” Scariolo said after the game on Udoh’s injury. The Italian coach spoke against the use of slippery stickers on basketball floors which have often caused players to hurt themselves.
“The biggest concern is Udoh’s injury. It seems to be bad, he’s the center around whom our game revolves. This story of the court stickers that players slip on is something to think about. It’s a very serious injury for the player and a serious one for the team. I hope it serves to make it clear that we need to have the utmost attention on these things. There are no stickers in the NBA.”
Udoh, a former EuroLeague Final Four and champion with Fenerbahce, signed with Virtus in offseason to return to Europe after 2017. He was one of the team’s most prominent signings.
Bologna will face Reyer Venezia in the the first semifinal of the SuperCup. Olimpia Milano will play against Happy Casa Brindisi for a spot in the championship game.
UPDATE: Virtus announced that on Sunday morning, Udoh underwent medicals that showed a complete injury to the patellar tendon of his left knee. The player will have to undergo surgery that will be scheduled in the next few days and his recovery time will be communicated after the operation.