BERKELEY – California men’s basketball guard Jalen Celestine underwent knee surgery this spring and will miss the start of the Golden Bears’ 2022-23 season, which gets underway Nov. 7 against UC Davis. A timetable for Celestine’s return has not yet been determined.
“This is the second consecutive year that Jalen has had to endure an offseason surgery, but his approach to the recovery process has been terrific,” Cal head coach Mark Fox said. “We’ll be excited once he’s fully healthy and ready to return to the court.”
Celestine, a rising junior from Ajax, Ontario, has averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game throughout his first two seasons with the Bears, appearing in 53 total contests with 22 starts. He emerged as a key contributor as a sophomore last year, averaging 7.5 points (8.4 PPG in Pac-12 play) and 3.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. Seven of his eight double-figure scoring efforts in the 2021-22 campaign came against Pac-12 teams, including a career-high 20 points off the bench against Washington State on Feb. 5.
Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
What about Kelly? does he not count?BC Calfan said:
For all his faults, undergrad player retention isn't one we can pin on Fox. Bradley is the only one and that's a doozy. But, I'm actually impressed with player loyalty to Fox given the losing. BUT, if players, especially undergrads, start leaving then that REALLY has to put him on thin ice? Right??
I get your point. I personally thought there was more of a possibility he would stay (i.e. he wasn't precluded from staying by grad school degree issues or anything, and it was more of a choice between staying and moving on). If it was a choice, it's still a black mark on Fox in my view. I think it's rare for a player to stay at the same school post grad if he sees better opportunities elsewhere. If cal was a winning team and/or he loved playing for Fox, I don't think he'd be decamping to UCSB.BC Calfan said:
Personally, no. He did his 4 years and graduated. Pretty rare for a player to stay at same school into post-grad.
BC Calfan said:
For all his faults, undergrad player retention isn't one we can pin on Fox. Bradley is the only one and that's a doozy. I'm actually impressed with player loyalty to Fox given the losing. BUT, if players, especially undergrads, start leaving then that REALLY has to put him on thin ice? Right??
CalLifer said:I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
If we are going to indict Fox for Celestine transferring (if he does transfer) then we have to indict most coaches, because nowadays 50% or more players transfer or leave school early.CalLifer said:I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
I believe Kelly stated in his farewell that he would be pursuing his Masters degree at Santa Barbara. That path, in the same field, might not have been available to him at Cal.CalLifer said:I get your point. I personally thought there was more of a possibility he would stay (i.e. he wasn't precluded from staying by grad school degree issues or anything, and it was more of a choice between staying and moving on). If it was a choice, it's still a black mark on Fox in my view. I think it's rare for a player to stay at the same school post grad if he sees better opportunities elsewhere. If cal was a winning team and/or he loved playing for Fox, I don't think he'd be decamping to UCSB.BC Calfan said:
Personally, no. He did his 4 years and graduated. Pretty rare for a player to stay at same school into post-grad.
I realize these are the dog days of summer, but why is anybody worried about Celestine transferring two years from now? I like the guy, but he's hardly had a huge impact - he's miles behind Kelly or Bradley. I'll always root for Cal to win but there is NOBODY on the current team that I'd agonize about regarding a transfer. If somebody leaves and Fox can't find a better player as a replacement, maybe this will accelerate the AD's recognition that a change needs to be made.SFCityBear said:If we are going to indict Fox for Celestine transferring (if he does transfer) then we have to indict most coaches, because nowadays 50% or more players transfer or leave school early.CalLifer said:I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
HearstMining said:I realize these are the dog days of summer, but why is anybody worried about Celestine transferring a year from now? I like the guy, but he's hardly had a huge impact - he's miles behind Kelly or Bradley. I'll always root for Cal to win but there is NOBODY on the current team that I'd agonize about regarding a transfer. If somebody leaves and Fox can't find a better player as a replacement, maybe this will accelerate the AD's recognition that a change needs to be made.SFCityBear said:If we are going to indict Fox for Celestine transferring (if he does transfer) then we have to indict most coaches, because nowadays 50% or more players transfer or leave school early.CalLifer said:I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
Did I sound worried about Celestine transferring? I'm not. Would I agonize over it? No. I didn't agonize over Bradley or Kelly transferring either. They played hard and well for us, but the decision to leave is a personal one, and really none of my business. What I care about, as far as college basketball is concerned, is the Cal team, and if a player does not have his heart in playing for our teams, then I'm fine with him going elsewhere. I've seen what a player looks like when he is not fully committed to playing for us, and his name was DJ Seeley, who sulked on the bench, and really dogged it when he did play. He transferred, and both Cal and he were the better for it.HearstMining said:HearstMining said:I realize these are the dog days of summer, but why is anybody worried about Celestine transferring a year from now? I like the guy, but he's hardly had a huge impact - he's miles behind Kelly or Bradley. I'll always root for Cal to win but there is NOBODY on the current team that I'd agonize about regarding a transfer. If somebody leaves and Fox can't find a better player as a replacement, maybe this will accelerate the AD's recognition that a change needs to be made.SFCityBear said:If we are going to indict Fox for Celestine transferring (if he does transfer) then we have to indict most coaches, because nowadays 50% or more players transfer or leave school early.CalLifer said:I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
Just to be clear, Celestine has not indicated he would transfer at all. His interest in studying/classes is minimal. Does not enjoy the grind of school He is a smart young man, happy with playing bball (when healthy) He just wants to move on from college, as soon as he earns his degree. This likely future decision, is not an indictment of the staff.SFCityBear said:Did I sound worried about Celestine transferring? I'm not. Would I agonize over it? No. I didn't agonize over Bradley or Kelly transferring either. They played hard and well for us, but the decision to leave is a personal one, and really none of my business. What I care about, as far as college basketball is concerned, is the Cal team, and if a player does not have his heart in playing for our teams, then I'm fine with him going elsewhere. I've seen what a player looks like when he is not fully committed to playing for us, and his name was DJ Seeley, who sulked on the bench, and really dogged it when he did play. He transferred, and both Cal and he were the better for it.HearstMining said:HearstMining said:I realize these are the dog days of summer, but why is anybody worried about Celestine transferring a year from now? I like the guy, but he's hardly had a huge impact - he's miles behind Kelly or Bradley. I'll always root for Cal to win but there is NOBODY on the current team that I'd agonize about regarding a transfer. If somebody leaves and Fox can't find a better player as a replacement, maybe this will accelerate the AD's recognition that a change needs to be made.SFCityBear said:If we are going to indict Fox for Celestine transferring (if he does transfer) then we have to indict most coaches, because nowadays 50% or more players transfer or leave school early.CalLifer said:I totally missed that point in 4thGenCal's post. What another terrible blow to the program, and a further indictment of Fox and his recruiting. I remarked in a post on the free men's hoops board that it's never good to think that you have hit rock bottom, because some people will always find a way to make things worse. I guess this proves that out.calumnus said:4thGenCal said:Extremely unlikely Jalen plays this season - it was a serious MCL/ACL injury and its typically minimum 12 months from surgery (assuming positive rehab and strengthening of ligaments). Jalen mentally wants to be ready in February, but even then it would be a stretch to put him out there and risk a set back. Great young man and wish the best for him. At most Jalen plays the following year before moving on. Likes his teammates and Berkeley, but its tough being far away from home and school (fine academically) is not his first or second love.Big C said:
I think, for now, they're announcing he'll miss the start of the season, while, for the time being, keeping their options open for later. I'd be surprised if he played, but who knows?
Thanks for your insight.
Celestine transferring out would be a blow. He is Fox's best recruit so far.
BC Calfan said:
For all his faults, undergrad player retention isn't one we can pin on Fox. Bradley is the only one and that's a doozy. I'm actually impressed with player loyalty to Fox given the losing. BUT, if players, especially undergrads, start leaving then that REALLY has to put him on thin ice? Right??
