Golden State Warriors rookie center James Wiseman admitted he had a hard time grappling with a season-ending meniscus injury suffered in April.
Wiseman opened up about his difficulties in coping with the injury and recovery process in his latest diary for The Undefeated:
“It's kind of hard, I was really down,” Wiseman said, via Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I can say that I was crying a lot. Yeah, it was bad. My mom had to actually tell me everything was gonna be all right.
Wiseman said the hardest part was feeling like he was missing out on the process and not being able to learn and grow with his Warriors teammates:
“I just love the game of basketball so much that I couldn't even fathom not playing with my teammates,” Wiseman said, via Johnson. “That kind of took a lot out of me.”
However, the 20-year-old said he was able to lean on his loved ones in confronting the challenge head-on:
“But I got a great family support system. Really, just me mentally, I'm very strong as a human being. So, I just got through it naturally.”
Wiseman endured a trying NBA debut with the Warriors. He dealt with a wrist injury prior to suffering the torn meniscus on April 10, and also spent the majority of the season experiencing the highs and lows most rookies tend to go through.
This offseason could prove every bit as difficult for Wiseman as he tries to heal up in time for training camp later this summer.
Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers previously suggested Wiseman was considered a valuable part of Golden State's future. However, he has already been surrounding by some trade whispers.
The Warriors big man has tremendous upside as a guy with tremendous athleticism who can protect the rim, run the floor and should eventually extend his range to the perimeter. Here's to hoping Wiseman comes back stronger, both physically and mentally.
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