Trending Now - Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson Suffers Ankle Injury in First Round

WHO:

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State forward

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State head coach

Iowa State Cyclones, No. 2 seed in NCAA Tournament

Tennessee State, No. 15 seed in NCAA Tournament

WHAT:

Joshua Jefferson suffered a serious left ankle injury during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Jefferson was averaging 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game prior to the injury.

Jefferson was a second-team AP All-American and ranked No. 2 in KenPom’s Player of the Year standings.

Jefferson recorded two triple-doubles in conference play this season.

Iowa State was leading Tennessee State at the time of the injury.

WHERE:

Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri

WHEN:

The injury occurred on March 20th, 2026.

Jefferson was seen on crutches approximately 10 minutes after the injury.

WHY:

The injury occurred as Jefferson drove the lane for an open layup, landing awkwardly on his left ankle.

HOW:

Jefferson was helped off the floor by trainers and taken to a nearby X-ray room for examination.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 05:20 UTC)

In a tough blow for the Iowa State Cyclones, forward Joshua Jefferson suffered a serious left ankle injury during their first-round NCAA Tournament game against Tennessee State yesterday. At the time of the injury, Iowa State was leading, and Jefferson, who was averaging nearly 17 points and had been recognized as a second-team AP All-American, was seen on crutches just ten minutes later as he was helped off the floor for examination. The injury occurred as he drove the lane for an open layup, landing awkwardly and prompting immediate attention from trainers at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.