Western Kentucky's Bassey to undergo season-ending surgery

Western Kentucky star Charles Bassey will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a tibial plateau fracture during the second half of Saturday's win over Arkansas, the team announced Monday.

His recovery timetable is expected to range from six-to-nine months.

Bassey posted 14.6 points, 10 boards, and 2.4 blocks per contest across 34 appearances during the 2018-19 campaign. He earned Conference USA's Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

The 6-foot-11 center tested the NBA draft waters after his breakthrough season but ultimately returned to school.

Bassey picked up this season where he left off in his freshman campaign, as he averaged 15.3 points and 9.2 boards across the Hilltoppers' first 10 contests.

He was a five-star recruit and ranked 18th overall in the ESPN 100 for 2018.

Forwards Carson Williams and Matt Horton are expected to fill in during Bassey's absence.