ATHENS, Ga. — Senior forward P.J. Horne, Georgia’s only returning starter, will miss the 2021-22 basketball season after suffering a knee injury in practice.
Georgia coach Tom Crean said Wednesday on Twitter that Horne had season-ending surgery on his right knee last weekend. He said Horne hurt the knee when he “bumped knees in a scrimmage, lost footing and went down awkwardly.”
Horne played his first three seasons at Virginia Tech before starting all 26 games at Georgia last season. He averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. His 46 3-pointers led the team.
It’s with genuine sadness that let you know that @prestonhorne24 will miss this @UGABasketball season after undergoing surgery on his right knee this past weekend. In practice , he bumped knees in a scrimmage, lost footing and went down awkwardly. pic.twitter.com/muKQogmePi
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) October 20, 2021
Crean described the loss of Horne as “a major blow to us.” Horne was expected to provide stability and leadership to a revamped roster.
Crean said in another Twitter post that Horne “was playing so well and showing great leadership as our leading returning player, but more so because he is such a great person and one of the finest people I’ve ever coached. He cares about his teammates deeply.”
The Bulldogs’ leading scorers from last season’s 14-12 team, guards Sahvir Wheeler and K.D. Johnson, transferred to Kentucky and Auburn, respectively.
Crean has had to rely heavily on the transfer portal to rebuild his roster.
Georgia was picked to finish last in the 14-team Southeastern Conference by media in voting released Tuesday.