Memphis guard Luke Almodovar escaped with minor injuries after a harrowing fall during the Tigers’ 105-81 defeat at No. 22 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night. In the second half, Almodovar attempted a dunk but lost his grip on the rim, causing him to crash awkwardly onto the hardwood, landing directly on his head. Memorial Gymnasium fell silent as the senior remained motionless on the court for approximately 45 seconds before being assisted to the locker room, a moment that left fans and teammates visibly shaken.
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Despite the severity of the incident, Almodovar showed resilience by returning to the bench for the remainder of the contest, though he did not re-enter the game. The senior, who transferred from Southeast Missouri State, had already established himself as a key offensive threat, finishing with a team-high 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting. His ability to return to the sideline suggests the Memphis coaching staff and medical team are confident in his immediate recovery, sparing the program a significant long-term absence during a critical stretch of the season.
Addressing the incident via the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Almodovar downplayed the danger, noting he felt “a little woozy” but ultimately safe. “A lot worse things have happened to kids who kind of lose their control like that,” Almodovar said. “I just thank God for keeping me safe.” This positive update provides a crucial relief for Memphis, allowing them to focus on their offensive execution and defensive adjustments following the lopsided loss to the Commodores.
Source: Yahoo Sports
