DALLAS — Virginia is in wait-and-see mode on the status of guard and primary ball-handler Dai Dai Ames.
UVa interim coach Ron Sanchez said Ames sprained his ankle in the first half of the Cavaliers’ loss at SMU on Saturday. He never returned to action after checking out with 10:39 to go before halftime.
“I don’t really know what happened to Ames yet,” Sanchez following the loss. “Other than that, he rolled his ankle. How serious it is, we’ll find out.”
Virginia guard Dai Dai Ames dribbles up the court during the Cavaliers’ loss to SMU on Saturday in Dallas.
UVa is already thin in its back court considering redshirt freshman guard Christian Bliss (foot) has not played this season, and because Florida State transfer guard Jalen Warley opted to leave the Hoos’ program following the retirement of former coach Tony Bennett.
Sanchez said Bliss is still day to day while he tries to recover from the foot issue.
People are also reading…
Ames, Andrew Rohde and Isaac McKneely have been in Sanchez’s starting lineup each of the last four games.
On Saturday, freshman Ishan Sharma’s minutes increased after Ames exited.
Sharma made a 3, grabbed four rebounds and had a steal. He’ll have to play more moving forward if Ames misses any time.
“We want Ish to continue to come,” Sanchez said. “He handles the ball. He can do some things. He made a shot today. He made some decent plays. He got some other guys some shots, and I think his experience today will help him later. We’re encouraged by him, and he was thrusted into the position today, but I think he did a really good job defensively as well.”
