Division II All-America transfer Parker Fox, who signed with the Gophers this spring, is expected to be sidelined six-to-nine months after recovering from knee surgery, he told the Star Tribune on Monday.
Fox, a 6-foot-8 junior from Northern State (S.D.), committed to new Gophers coach Ben Johnson on April 15. The Mahtomedi native said he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee while working out on campus later that week.
"My goal is to be a part of it this year," Fox said. "But I also want to make sure I'm getting my body right. I'm going to work really hard to get myself ready."
After having surgery three weeks ago, Fox will join the Gophers and enroll in summer school on time next month. One of the most explosive athletes in D-II basketball, he was injured after going in for one of his routine dunks.
"I jumped off my right foot and landed on my left leg and felt a pop," Fox said. "It was kind of a freak accident. [Johnson] didn't waver with me. He didn't even second guess it. It was tough for me to tell him. Obviously, I broke down. He still wants me to be a part of the program and what they have going on."
Fox was among six transfers the Gophers signed this spring but the only frontcourt player. He hopes to recover with enough time to play during the 2021-22 season, but the Gophers won't rush him back.
"Obviously, I will eventually get myself right and be out there on the court," Fox said. "Just having the trust that Ben has in my ability to get better and be a part of this eventually was really, really awesome."
Last season, Fox averaged 22.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and national-best 3.5 blocks at Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
