Saoirse Downs
TCU junior guard Jaylen Fisher has been forced to leave the TCU basketball program due to multiple injuries. Fisher, who was born with albinism, had to undergo several surgeries on his knees, including one on his right knee in September 2018, and deal with persistent swelling and soreness. He missed several games and was unable to play since Christmas 2018. Despite his talent and contribution to the team, Fisher's athletic scholarship will be applied for a new recruit for the next season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jaylen Fisher |
| Team | TCU Basketball |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Status | Injured, Out for Season |
| Injury | Right Knee Swelling, Stiffness, and Pain |
| Surgery | Arthroscopic Surgery on Right Knee |
| Games Missed | Oklahoma Game, Season Opener, Big 12 Opener |
| Replacement | RJ Nembhard |
| Future Plans | Transfer to Another School |
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What You'll Learn
Jaylen Fisher's TCU career ends due to injury
Once the highest-ranked recruit to ever sign with TCU, Jaylen Fisher's career with the TCU Horned Frogs came to an end due to persistent injuries. The junior point guard from Memphis, born with albinism, had multiple surgeries on his knees throughout his three years at TCU. He also had wrist surgery during this time and had previously undergone knee surgery in high school.
Fisher's injury woes at TCU began when he tore his meniscus in his right knee in January 2018, which cut his sophomore season short. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in September 2018 but continued to experience swelling and soreness. Despite attempts to manage the issue, such as draining the knee, the swelling persisted and impacted his ability to play.
Fisher missed the opening weeks of the 2018-2019 season as he recovered from the meniscus tear. However, his return to the court was short-lived as he began experiencing significant swelling in his right knee again in late December 2018. This forced him to miss more games, including the Horned Frogs' Big 12 opener against Baylor on January 5, 2019.
The persistent knee issues ultimately led to the end of Fisher's TCU career. On January 17, 2019, it was announced that he would miss the rest of the season and would not return to the program for the next season. Fisher explored his options to continue his playing career elsewhere by entering the NCAA transfer portal. Despite his departure from the TCU basketball program, the school offered to honour his scholarship if he chose to remain at TCU and pursue his degree.
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Fisher's injury history at TCU
Jaylen Fisher, a junior point guard from Memphis, dealt with multiple knee injuries throughout his three years at TCU. Fisher had a history of knee problems, having undergone surgery on his knee in high school. He also had wrist surgery during his time at TCU.
In January 2018, Fisher tore his meniscus in his right knee, which cut his sophomore season short. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in September 2018. Despite this, he continued to experience swelling and soreness in his knee. Fisher missed the opening weeks of the 2018-2019 season as he recovered from the meniscus tear. However, his knee issues persisted, and he missed several games, including the Big 12 opener against Baylor and the game against Oklahoma.
Fisher's last game with TCU was on December 25, 2018, in Hawaii, where TCU won against Indiana State. He appeared in nine games that season, averaging 12.1 points per game.
Due to his ongoing knee issues, Fisher's time as a TCU basketball player came to an end. He entered the NCAA transfer portal, exploring options to continue his playing career elsewhere. TCU honoured his scholarship, allowing him to remain at the school and pursue his degree.
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Other injured TCU players
In addition to Jaylen Fisher, several other TCU basketball players have also faced injuries and setbacks.
Yuat Alok, a forward, was forced to sit out a game against Kansas due to a broken wrist sustained the previous month. Lat Mayen, a redshirt freshman, was also limited in his playing time due to a bone bruise on his knee, although he was reportedly making progress. Kevin Samuel, another redshirt freshman, dealt with a minor hip injury but received treatment and was said to be doing well.
The Horned Frogs, as the TCU team is known, faced a challenging schedule, including a top-25 showdown at Allen Fieldhouse, which likely required a healthy roster. The team had to navigate injuries to key players like Fisher, who was a difference-maker when healthy, averaging 12.1 points in nine games before his injury.
The absence of these players created opportunities for other team members to step up. For example, R.J. Nembhard, a 6'4" redshirt freshman, saw increased playing time and contributed significantly to TCU's victory over Baylor. Nembhard's performance was praised by Coach Jamie Dixon, who noted his solid defence and smart shot selection.
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Fisher's replacement, R.J. Nembhard
TCU basketball player Jaylen Fisher's career was marred by multiple knee injuries, which led to his departure from the team in January 2019. Fisher's absence created an opportunity for R.J. Nembhard, a redshirt freshman, to step up and fill the void. Nembhard, a native of Keller, Texas, joined TCU as a highly touted four-star recruit, choosing the Horned Frogs over offers from several prominent basketball programs.
Nembhard's journey at TCU began with a setback as he redshirted his first season due to limited playing time and a knee injury. However, he remained resilient and determined to contribute to the team. When Fisher's injury woes resurfaced during the 2018-2019 season, Nembhard seized the opportunity to showcase his abilities. He embraced the challenge of transitioning from being the primary option at Keller High School to becoming a role player for TCU.
In his initial games filling in for Fisher, Nembhard demonstrated his ability to execute the game plan and make confident decisions on the court. TCU coach Jamie Dixon commended Nembhard's performance, highlighting his ability to take efficient shots and contribute to the team's offensive success. Nembhard's confidence and poise were evident as he adapted to the collegiate level, showcasing his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities.
As a freshman, Nembhard averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, providing valuable contributions off the bench. He continued to develop and improve during his time at TCU, eventually earning Third Team All-Big 12 honors as a junior, where he averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and four assists per game. Nembhard's collegiate career served as a platform for him to pursue professional basketball opportunities, including stints in the NBA G League and the Chinese Basketball Association.
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Fisher's future basketball career
Jaylen Fisher's future in basketball has been uncertain due to persistent knee injuries that have plagued his time at TCU. After multiple surgeries and ongoing issues, Fisher was forced to leave the TCU basketball program in 2019. Despite this setback, he had not given up on his basketball career and explored options to continue playing elsewhere.
Fisher was a highly-rated recruit and a proven contributor to the TCU team. He averaged 12.1 points in nine games during his final season at TCU, showcasing his talent as a 3-point shooter. However, his playing time was limited due to recurring injuries. The decision to transfer and continue his career at another school was a result of his desire to stay on the court.
Fisher's story of resilience and determination in the face of injury has captivated many. Born with albinism, he has had to overcome challenges throughout his athletic career. Despite the setbacks, he remained positive and handled the rehabilitation process well, earning praise from his coach, Jamie Dixon.
As Fisher explored transferring to another school, he had the potential to continue his college career. If granted a medical redshirt, he could have had two seasons of eligibility remaining. This would allow him to make an impact at another program and showcase his skills as a point guard.
While Fisher's future in basketball was uncertain at TCU due to injuries, his talent and dedication to the sport were undeniable. With the possibility of transferring to another school, he had the opportunity to continue his playing career and pursue his passion for basketball. Fisher's resilience and positive attitude will undoubtedly serve him well in his future endeavours, whether on or off the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Fisher has had multiple knee injuries throughout his three years at TCU.
Fisher tore his meniscus in his right knee in January 2018 and had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in September 2018. He has also had multiple surgeries on his knees and one on his wrist.
Yes, Fisher missed several games due to his injury, including the season opener against CSU Bakersfield and the game against Oklahoma. He also missed the Horned Frogs' Big 12 opener vs. Baylor.
Yes, before the season, Fisher revamped the way he played and became a spot-up, successful 3-point shooter instead of an attacking, penetrating distributor.
Yes, Fisher is done with the TCU program due to his injury. He put his name in the NCAA transfer portal to potentially continue his playing career elsewhere.
