Dan Hurley delivered a mixed bag of injury updates during his July 25 press conference, outlining careful timelines for two key players. The UConn coach stressed caution with transfer guard Malachi Smith’s knee recovery while providing encouraging news about freshman center Eric Reibe’s minor foot issue.
These updates shape how the Huskies will approach their championship preparations.
How Will Smith’s Extended Recovery Timeline Impact UConn’s Summer Plans?
Dan Hurley shared concerning details about UConn newcomer Malachi Smith’s availability during the team’s recent open scrimmage at the Werth Family Champions Center. The Huskies coach explained that while Smith is approaching full health, the team plans an extremely cautious approach with the transfer guard’s return to live action.
“Malachi, you know, is coming up on a point where he’d probably be healthy enough. But, you know, he’s a guy that we got to make sure we have this winter,” Hurley explained during the press conference.
The coach made it clear that Smith is “unlikely to do, you know, anything live with the team until, you know, we get back to the end of August and get him ready for the year because I think he’s going to be an awesome addition.”
This extended timeline means Smith will miss crucial summer development time with his new teammates. The Bronx native had a minor knee procedure in late June after getting hurt during team workouts.
Prior to UConn, Smith spent four seasons with the Dayton Flyers, where he averaged 9.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game.
His experience and proven playmaking ability are expected to provide valuable depth behind returning star Tristen Newton when he’s finally cleared for action.
Why Is Eric Reibe’s Quick Return Such Good News for the Huskies?
Meanwhile, Hurley delivered much more encouraging news about freshman center Reibe’s recovery from a minor foot injury. The 7’0″ German prospect has been sidelined since returning from the FIBA U19 World Cup, where he helped Germany capture a silver medal with impressive individual performances.
“Eric will be back this week and hopefully be able to finish up and, you know, get a much-needed two weeks of work for a freshman,” Hurley stated.
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The team’s approach with Reibe appears purely precautionary. The coaching staff prioritizes long-term health over immediate participation. This conservative strategy should pay dividends when the season begins.
Hurley explained the situation, “He just came back with a little bit of a foot from the under-19s, literally. You know, and then we just were very cautious and shut him down immediately and, you know, just giving him kind of two weeks to let that foot settle down and then hopefully he’s able to go.”
Reibe’s international success at the U19 World Cup has elevated expectations around his freshman campaign. During the tournament, he averaged 15.4 points while shooting 59 percent from the field.
His 25-point performance against Serbia and 17-point showing in the championship game against Team USA demonstrated the offensive skills that attracted UConn’s coaching staff.
The contrasting injury situations highlight UConn’s measured approach to player health this summer. Smith’s August return timeline means missing valuable development time with teammates, while Reibe should be back on the court this week. Both players remain crucial pieces for UConn’s championship pursuit when the 2024-25 season tips off.
