Getty Purdue center Isaac Haas is likely out for the season after suffering a fractured elbow in the first round.
After Isaac Haas was ruled out for the season on Friday, later reports indicated there was a slim chance Haas could play Sunday against Butler. According to the Journal & Courier’s Nathan Baird this will not happen as the Purdue big man was not in the starting lineup. Matt Haarms got the start for Purdue in place of Haas. Baird detailed Haas’ pregame warmup noting the big man looked to be in significant pain, and did not attempt a shot prior to the game.
Haas as expected emerged from Purdue’s locker room for warm-ups wearing a significant brace on his right arm. He grimaced and looked extremely hesitant when attempting any right-handed shot more than a few feet out.
He stood at the free throw line and lined up to shoot, but never actually attempted a shot.
From what he showed in warm-ups, regardless of Haas’ health, his mobility at this point displayed that he would not be an asset to Purdue today and would very likely be a liability.
The Journal & Courier reported Purdue successfully won an NCAA petition to allow Haas to wear the brace during warmups, but not during the game. CBS’s Allie LeForce reported the brace was not cleared by the NCAA.
“Isaac Haas will NOT be playing today. He wanted to, but ultimately the brace he would have to wear was NOT cleared by the NCAA,” LaForce tweeted. The brace was deemed too dangerous for his opponents with potential injury risk.
Here’s a look at Haas warming up with the brace on his right elbow.
#Purdue senior Isaac Haas taking free throws with left hand.
Haas described the injury in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
“My whole body hit kind of awkward,” Haas told Chicago Tribune. “I just laid there for a second. When I rolled over, that’s when I felt my elbow.”
Haas practiced with the team, and wanted to play but ultimately was ruled out.
“Isaac Haas practiced w/@BoilerBall this afternoon. He had a brace on his fractured elbow. Brace needs to be cleared by NCAA. IF it is cleared, Purdue will have to decide if they allow him to play. He wants to play per Coach Painter. He will go through warmups tomorrow,” LaForce tweeted.
The senior big man averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds this season. Here’s how Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo described Haas’ NBA draft stock.
As for Haas, he’s basically a Plumlee, which means he’ll get NBA looks for being huge and athletic. However, his skill level and feel leave something to be desired for NBA purposes, so he’ll need to hang his hat on defense, rebounding and cleaning up easy baskets. He gets away with some things at the college level just by being huge. His size and strength still profile well, but a team would have to be in love with him to use a second-rounder.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony has Haas as his No. 88 ranked prospect.