Portland Trail Blazers Center Has Knee Surgery

"Arthroscopic patellar chondroplasty and debridement" surgery. No, it doesn't sound like a fun procedure, and for young Portland Trail Blazers two-way center Ibou Badji, it'll cost him a chance at making his NBA debut this season.

Team announces that Ibou Badji has undergone "arthroscopic patellar chondroplasty and debridement" surgery on his left knee. He's expected to miss eight weeks.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) March 7, 2023

The 20-year-old 7'1" big man out of Senegal underwent the surgery on his left knee on Monday and will be out for eight weeks.

With a 7'9" wingspan, Badji displayed impressive rim-protecting skills while playing in the G League this season, with the Wisconsin Herd. In seven games, he averaged 7.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 17.6 minutes per contest. Although he had been toiling for the Milwaukee Bucks' G League affiliate, the Blazers plucked him away with a two-way deal this past November.

He had been experiencing soreness in his knee since January, and hadn't been able to play since then.

Badji will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, so it'll be interesting to see if Portland decides to re-up on another contract with him for next season, without having played any games in their organization.

Photo: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports