Maryland sophomore and likely lottery pick Alex Len will be shelved for all pre-draft workouts because of surgery on his left ankle.
Len had surgery to "stabilize" the partial stress fracture in his left ankle, Sports International Group's Michael Lelchitski said in a news release Friday. Recovery time is projected to be four to six months.
That means Len not only will miss team workouts in late May and early June, but also will not be available for testing at the NBA pre-draft combine May 16-17 in Chicago. The draft is June 27.
The 7-foot-1 Len, who averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Terrapins, won't be able to work out for any teams.
Reaction was mixed as to the effect on Len's draft status.
One NBA personnel decision-maker said Len may drop a few spots, but if a team likes him, then it will take him, regardless of the injury.
The personnel director said the situation is akin to Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, who won't be able to work out while he recovers from a torn ACL.
"In a draft like this, when teams aren't in love with a lot of players, if you like someone before this, then you'll take him,'' the personnel director said.
One general manager said there are lingering questions about Len, who could have been a workout wonder and moved up in the draft if he had been able to get in front of a lot of decision-makers.
Lelchitski acknowledged the timing of the injury could hurt Len.
"Everyone who knows Alex knows that he would have been incredible in the pre-draft workout setting,'' Lelchitski said in the release. "However, Alex is one of the elite prospects with arguably the biggest upside of anyone in the draft. The most important thing is his long-term health."
Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery in Charlotte, N.C., and said in the news release that surgery was the best option long term for Len. He said Len will make a full return to the court in a few months.
Len sought a number of opinions before choosing surgery.
"I didn't want to risk it not healing properly," Len said in the release. "I want to make sure I'm fully healthy and ready for training camp."