J.P. Estrella left Tennessee basketball’s game against Rice on Nov. 17 with a left leg injury.
The Vols forward will not return, Tennessee announced at halftime.
Estrella battled for a rebound twice by the rim before coming down with it. He fell backward after losing the ball and Rice forward Stephen Giwa fell on Estrella’s lower leg.
Estrella immediately clutched his left knee and writhed in pain by the free-throw line. Trainer Chad Newman checked on Estrella on the court with his teammates huddled around him. Guard Ethan Burg waited with Estrella as he was evaluated. He was helped off the court and down the tunnel by Newman and strength coach Garrett Medenwald. He was putting a little bit of weight on his left leg.
The 6-foot-11 forward from Maine has been an early season superstar for the No. 17 Vols (3-0), averaging 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds through three games. He had four points against Rice before leaving with 1:26 left in the first half.
He has dealt with injuries throughout his Tennessee career.
Estrella missed all but three games in the 2024-25 season after having season-ending surgery on his left foot in November. He dealt with an ankle injury in the preseason before having massive performances to open his third season at UT.
He had a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double in UT’s 99-66 win against North Florida on Nov. 12. He had 17 points and 11 rebounds against Northern Kentucky on Nov. 8 after scoring 12 points with five rebounds against Mercer on Nov. 3.
Tennessee’s frontcourt has been the strength for the Vols this season with Estrella leading the way offensively. The Vols have a five-man rotation of Estrella, senior Felix Okpara, juniors Jaylen Carey and Cade Phillips, and freshman DeWayne Brown II.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
