Adelaide 36ers captain Mitch Creek will be sidelined for about two months after scans revealed he suffered a foot stress fracture in Friday night's NBL loss to Melbourne United.
The news is a major blow for the 36ers who are off to a 1-3 start to the season.
Club doctors advised the fracture will heal without surgery, but the eight weeks needed means he will miss about 10 matches.
Creek told the 36ers club website he heard a bang when he was running as the foot gave way.
"The pain was incredible, I played about two minutes with it until I knew it wasn't going to get better and subbed myself off," he said.
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"It is heart shattering to know that I will miss two months of basketball that I worked nine months for.
"I have sacrificed many things for this season including time with my family, friends and relationships to be the best athlete I can.
He promised to return "fitter, bigger, better and stronger".
"We can really become a dangerous team and I will be there encouraging from the sideline during every training and game."
