RALEIGH, N.C. — Henri Veesaar, the big center for North Carolina, won’t play against NC State on Tuesday night. This update came shortly before the game, following the ACC’s guidelines.
In the latest availability report, Veesaar joins Caleb Wilson, James Brown, and Ivan Matlekovic on the sidelines.
Veesaar missed Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh due to flu-like symptoms and a lower-leg injury. Although his illness has improved, he will still sit out due to the ongoing injury.
This lower-leg issue dates back to a game in Coral Gables a week earlier. After the loss, he received extra treatment. He did warm up before Saturday’s game, but wasn’t quite ready to participate. During that warm-up, a strip of kinesiology tape was seen on his left Achilles.
Despite the setbacks, head coach Hubert Davis shared some optimism about Veesaar’s recovery on his radio show. “He’s getting a lot better. Monday was a huge jump in his improvement,” Davis stated. He emphasized that Veesaar’s situation remains day-to-day, but the coach is hopeful.
Veesaar is an important asset for the Tar Heels, averaging 16.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. His absence, along with that of Wilson, leaves a significant gap in the team’s frontcourt. Still, North Carolina managed to beat Pittsburgh 79-65 without them. However, the upcoming matchup against NC State presents a bigger challenge.
Wilson is out indefinitely due to a fractured left hand he sustained during a loss to Miami. He leads the team with 19.8 points and ranks among the top players in the ACC. Wilson has set records for UNC freshmen, scoring double figures in all 24 games this season and achieving 17 games with at least 20 points.
With both Veesaar and Wilson out, Jarin Stevenson and Zayden High stepped up against Pittsburgh, scoring a combined 34 points. In his first start, High achieved career highs in minutes (32), points (15), and rebounds (7).
Unfortunately, the team also misses Brown, who has been out since December. Matlekovic last played in mid-January.
In sports, injuries can significantly impact team dynamics. For example, in a recent survey, nearly 70% of fans expressed concern over how injuries affect the overall quality of the game. Teams often have to rely on bench players to step up, as we’ve seen with Stevenson and High.
As the season progresses, the Tar Heels must adapt and find their rhythm, especially without key players. Balancing injuries and team performance is part of the game, and fans will be watching closely to see how UNC navigates this tough period.
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Henri Veesaar (22 – Estonia)
