Zhaire Smith Suffers Jones Fracture
It wouldn't be a normal Philadelphia 76ers offseason without an injury to a rookie. Nerlens Noel missed his first season with a knee injury, Joel Embiid missed two full seasons with foot injuries, Ben Simmons sat his entire first year after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot and Markelle Fultz had a combination of a shoulder issue and the yips. Oh, and let's not forget Landry Shamet had to sit out for the majority of Summer League with a sprained ankle.
Now, it's Zhaire Smith's turn. The Sixers announced on Tuesday that Smith suffered a foot injury in a development camp out in Las Vegas. Just hours afterwards, Shams Charania confirmed that the rookie out of Texas Tech was diagnosed with a Jones fracture, the same injury that sidelined Ben Simmons for an entire season.
The Sixers acquired Smith on draft night along with a 2021 unprotected first-round pick in exchange for Villanova product Mikal Bridges, who was originally selected 10th overall by Philadelphia.
In six Summer League games, Smith averaged 7.7 points on 32 percent shooting, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds.
Brandon Apter is a Sixers contributor to 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on Twitter @bapter23.