Northwestern State star guard Jalan West, who led the nation in assists two years ago, tore the ACL in his left knee for the second straight year and is likely to miss this season.
Northwestern State coach Mike McConathy told ESPN that the injury occurred in a routine drill late last week in which he planted to make a pass. West also tore his meniscus.
The 5-foot-10 West also suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last season and was granted a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility to play this year for the Louisiana school.
"He's an amazing kid," McConathy told ESPN. "As humble a kid as I've ever been around. He's doing about as well as can be expected."
West, who sat his freshman campaign after being ruled a partial qualifier, averaged 20 points and 7.7 assists two seasons ago. He went into last year as one of the top point guards in the nation and an NBA prospect. He tore his ACL in the season opener against Ole Miss last year and had surgery in mid-December.
McConathy said West will accompany the team to Canada this week on its foreign trip and will then have surgery after the team returns to Louisiana.