It’s the diagnosis every player dreads.
Returning from a ruptured Achilles is and will continue to be one of the hardest recoveries for injured players, with an average rehabilitation timeline of up to a year.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr., got back to basketball activities within 10 months, returned to the court in the 11th month and scored a critical 17 points in his first game back against Big East favorite and No. 5 St. John’s in a 103-96 win at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
“It felt like it was March Madness,’’ said Wrightsell. “It was that hostile an environment. The New York crowd was loud, rowdy. It was fun. It was a crazy atmosphere and it reminded me of what it was like to play in March Madness.’’
Coming back in 11 months can happen. Sure. But producing like Wrightsell did in his first game back from a torn Achilles? That’s not normal in the current landscape of professional and elite college players dealing with a serious Achilles injury. But Wrightsell is bucking the trend, and as a result No. 8 Alabama enters Thursday night’s game against No. 2 Purdue with one of its key players back and ready to help lead the Tide to a potential SEC title.
Alabama coach Nate Oats gave a shoutout to the athletic training staff after the win over the Red Storm, crediting the recovery of Wrightsell (and Aden Holloway, who was also making his season debut after a wrist injury) for powering the Tide. “We never would have won this game if those guys weren’t available,” Oats said.
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So, how did Wrightsell do this?
“The mental part for me, that was the toughest,” the 6-foot-3 guard said. “Knowing, will I be able to step the same way like I was beforehand? Will I be able to move the same? That’s definitely the hardest part, getting over that, and getting your confidence back…You’re skilled enough to do it, but you’ve got to have the confidence to be able to think like that.’’
And he did, even with some low moments during the recovery that he had to get through during the repetitive times of rehab.
“Those were tough,’’ said Wrightsell. “I was definitely questioning, like, how much do I love basketball? Am I going to quit on myself?’’
Wrightsell said he had to trust himself, and Oats helped him navigate that mental side of the process. He said the entire staff around the program continued to support him. “I just had to trust everything I had been doing,’’ said Wrightsell.
Wrightsell had played in just eight games last season before suffering the injury in a contest against Oregon on Nov. 30. He scored in double figures in six of those games and was third on the team in scoring. He was headed for a banner senior campaign — his fifth in college after three seasons at Cal State Fullerton and two at Alabama.
So, after crumpling to the floor, he had to decide whether it was really worth it to go through a rugged rehab for a sixth collegiate season.
The answer he found was a resounding yes, especially as he watched Alabama reach the Elite Eight before a loss to Duke in Newark. “Some plans don’t go as you plan them, but God always has a plan for you,’’ said Wrightsell. “I’ve got a lot of perspective for the younger guys. I’ve been pretty much through everything and I know about minutes and roles and understanding the mental side of things. I’m more of a leader now and it’s not just about basketball, but about life situations as well.’’
Wrightsell doesn’t look to go out as much as a result. Staying disciplined in his recovery and taking care of his body are his main priorities. “I was talking to my mom about that and how I’ve changed,’’ said Wrightsell. “Instead of going out and having fun, I’m now about sleeping and getting rest and doing treatment. I have to take care of myself more than I used to.’’
Wrightsell learned more about spacing while sitting on the bench and watching the Tide go on its run to the Elite Eight. He has a better understanding of what needs to happen to maximize his time on the floor.
And now that he has joined Holloway and Labaron Philon Jr., (with Houston Mallette as well), the Tide have a backcourt that can run and score with probably any in the country.
They will have to be on their A game if they want to take down Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer and the Boilermakers, let alone when they take on Illinois, Gonzaga, Clemson and Arizona before launching into SEC play. “We have to play with more pace,’’ said Wrightsell. “I know we play pretty fast, but I think we can play a little bit faster than we have. We will have to deal with a lot of pick-and-roll situations with Purdue.’’
The win over St. John’s was the confidence boost Wrightsell and Alabama needed, even early in November.
“It showed we can play with the tougher teams that may have a bigger lineup,’’ he said. “It gave us a lot of confidence on the defensive end that we can guard really good guards. That win was a big confidence boost.’’
