Iowa State All-American Joshua Jefferson hurt, returns in walking boot

Field Level Media|published: Fri 20th March, 16:48 2026

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) is helped off of the court after suffering an apparent injury to his left leg against Tennessee State Tigers during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

ST. LOUIS -- Iowa State All-American forward Joshua Jefferson is out for the rest of the first-round NCAA Tournament game against Tennessee State with a left lower leg injury.

Jefferson returned to the Cyclones' bench as the second half was set to begin with crutches and wearing a walking boot on his left leg.

Iowa State was up 55-29 at halftime when Jefferson emerged from the tunnel to take the last seat on the end of the Iowa State bench to a standing ovation. His status for a potential second-round game against Kentucky on Saturday is unclear.

Jefferson was hurt after scoring on a drive just two minutes, 36 seconds into the game.

He was helped to his feet and taken directly for X-rays on his lower left leg and ankle. Jefferson, who plays a point forward role for the Cyclones, was crossing the lane left to right and crumbled under the Cyclones basket as the ball went through the net. He could not put weight on his left foot as he reached the tunnel. Jefferson's short-range shot attempt went through and he rolled over the outside of his left foot, which bent sharply inward, sending Jefferson to the floor.

He averaged 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game entering Friday's game.

"For our team, Joshua (Jefferson) is such a huge part of everything we do," Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger told CBS TV as he left the court at halftime. "So we have a more guard-oriented attack when he's not out there."

--Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

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