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Gonzaga senior point guard underwent shoulder surgery on Friday to fix a nagging injury, and is expected to be ready for the start of next season, Jim Meehan of the Spokesman Review reported.
Perkins originally injured his shoulder against Washington, where he left the game for a minute clutching his shoulder.
Perkins averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 assists for the Zags last season, showing a ton of promise and growth throughout the season. He also was the only point guard playing meaningful minutes on the squad last season. Going into this upcoming season, that equation, at the moment, has largely stayed the same.
It appears Perkins is ready for that role.
Always been a guy to find beauty in my struggles.... Just another TEST for my TESTIMONY!!!! #imbackkkk #waitillbebackkk #onthatslowslowgrindfornowlol “Everything Negative PRESSURE, CHALLENGES, INJURIES is all an opportunity for me to rise” - GOAT pic.twitter.com/7ZelTSCuFq
— Josh Perkins (@JoshPerk13) April 21, 2018
The Zags are a popular preseason top 10 pick, largely off the returns of Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura. As it stands, the Zags are still a bit thin at point guard, but are one of three finalists for 2018 five-star guard Brandon Williams.
Much of next year’s success will depend on how far Perkins can carry the team. If an off-season shoulder surgery is what was needed to give him his best shot, than it is worth the potentially long rehabilitation that comes with it—something Perkins is no stranger to and working through.