Bulls' Valentine out for season after ankle surgery

Denzel Valentine's season is officially over before it even started.

The Chicago Bulls announced Wednesday that the 25-year-old guard underwent a successful left ankle stabilization procedure Tuesday and will miss the entire 2018-19 campaign as a result.

Valentine is expected to be able to return to full basketball activities in about six months.

The surgical reconstruction was first announced last week with a recovery timeline of four to six months.

The Bulls selected Valentine 14th overall in the 2016 NBA draft after he earned AP Player of the Year honors in his senior year at Michigan State.

He averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.8 steals in 27.2 minutes across 77 appearances last year for the 27-win Bulls.