Basketball: Injured Okafor Sad

Emeka Okafor, J.J. Hickson

•Okafor (left) in action during a recent match.

Washington center Emeka Okafor will be sidelined indefinitely with a herniated disc while NBA teammate Chris Singleton will miss between six and eight weeks with a left foot injury, the Wizards announced.

The setbacks come just 10 days before the start of Washington’s pre-season training camp.

•Okafor (left) in action during a recent match.
•Okafor (left) in action during a recent match.

Okafor, the first member of his Nigerian-raised family to be born in the United States, was diagnosed with a ruptured C4 cervical disc after an MRI.

“I have worked hard over the summer and was looking forward to the start of training camp next week, so this is a disappointing and frustrating situation for me,” said Okafor, who had complained of pain in his neck.

Okafor averaged 9.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 79 games for the Wizards last season.

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Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said he expected Emeka to battle back to fitness as soon as possible.

“Until then, his absence will create opportunities for other players to step up and provide the rebounding and defense that Emeka normally contributes,” he said.

Singleton suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal in his left foot on Tuesday during a voluntary workout. He will need surgery to set the fracture.

Singleton averaged 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 57 games for the Wizards last season, when the club finished 29-53.

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