Gophers Forward Davonte Fitzgerald Will Miss Another Season

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota forward Davonte Fitzgerald will miss the upcoming season after injuring his left knee during practice.

The university said Friday he tore the anterior cruciate ligament as well as cartilage during a noncontact drill.

Coach Richard Pitino said the team is confident Fitzgerald will be ready for the 2017-18 season, but the 6-foot-8 transfer from Texas A&M will go more than 2 1/2 years without playing in a game. He had to sit out as a redshirt last season because of NCAA transfer rules. Fitzgerald has two years of eligibility remaining.

Fitzgerald averaged 5.3 points and 1.9 rebounds a game over two seasons with Texas A&M, but his role diminished as a sophomore.