Modestas Kancleris Tears ACL, Will Miss Season

OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton men's basketball freshman Modestas Kancleris will miss the 2020-21 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during practice on Wednesday. Additional testing and evaluation in the subsequent days confirmed the diagnosis.

Kancleris is the second Bluejay this week to suffer a season-ending knee injury, as his freshman teammate and roommate Rati Andronikashvili tore the ACL in his left knee last Sunday.

"It's heartbreaking any time a student-athlete is hurt, and even moreso to endure two season-ending injuries in the same week," said Creighton head coach Greg McDermott. "Modestas has a fantastic attitude and has made big strides since his arrival. Our team will need to pull together to help overcome his loss on the court and help him push through in the months ahead as he recovers."

Kancleris is a forward from Kaunas, Lithuania, and has spent time on the U16 and U18 Lithuanian National Teams. He has competed in the Jordan Brand Classic, NBA Basketball Without Borders, adidas Eurocamp and NBAPA Top 100 Camp. He was expected to add frontcourt depth to a Bluejay line-up that returns five of its top scorers from a season ago.

Creighton is scheduled to open the 2020-21 season on Nov. 25 at the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic with a game against South Dakota State.

Players Mentioned

Rati Andronikashvili

Modestas Kancleris

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