Sept. 24, 2002

Returning starter Jules Camara has suffered a broken right hand and will be out of action for the next four to six weeks, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith announced Tuesday.

Camara, a 6-11 center, fractured the third metacarpal bone during individual workouts on Monday afternoon at Memorial Coliseum. The senior has had the hand placed in a cast.

“We hope to get Jules back as soon as we can, hopefully by early November,” Smith said. “The good news is that he’ll still be able to continue his preseason conditioning and once he returns, he’ll have time to get a few practices in before we open the season in Maui.”

The senior started 18 of the 32 games last season, including the last seven contests. He averaged 6.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Kentucky begins its 100th season of basketball at the EA Sports Maui Invitational, Nov. 25-27. Exhibition play begins Nov. 11.

— Go Cats —