Warrnambool Seahawks forward James Mitchell has freakishly avoided an anterior cruciate ligament injury but has ended up with a 'weird' broken leg.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The basketballer, who plays with the Seahawks in the Big V, was playing in a Warrnambool senior basketball division one semi-final last week when he sustained a tibial plateau fracture.
"I've basically cracked the top of my shin when I hyper-extended my knee," he said.
Mitchell was on a fast break when he got caught between two defenders.
"I tried to reach my leg to get through the middle of them and as I landed my knee hyper-extended," he said.
'I knew I'd done something reasonably bad."
The Seahawks veteran, who debuted in 2010, said it was an unusual injury because he didn't damage his ligaments.
"Normally the ligaments should go first," he said.
"All the ligaments held on which is apparently unusual."
MORE BASKETBALL:
Mitchell was preparing to go into theatre for surgery on Saturday morning before surgeons took another look at his X-rays.
"The surgeon decided it was probably going to heal just as well if we left it alone," he said.
Mitchell said he would get more X-rays in a couple of weeks to see if his injury was healing properly.
He said he may still need surgery.
"Hopefully we've dodged it," he said.
"Obviously I want to be back as quick as possible."
Mitchell said he hoped he would be out for about six weeks but admitted it was uncertain.
"I've heard it can be anything from three to six months," he said.
"I'm hoping it will be much closer to six weeks."
Mitchell said he wanted to "hit the ground running" when he got back on court and will remain heavily involved with the team while injured.
"If I can help out any of the young guys with understanding the plays that would be good," he said.
"I'll try and pick up things from Barry (Brooks) and Tim (Gainey).
"Try to pick their brains as much I can while not playing."
The Seahawks have a double header this weekend in Melbourne.
They face the Whittlesea Pacers on Saturday night and the Collingwood All Stars on Sunday afternoon.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
