Kentucky freshman big man Nerlens Noel has a torn ACL and is out for the season, which could have a huge 
impact on the top of the 2013 NBA draft.
The school is announcing the extent of the injury. Noel is expected to have surgery in two to three weeks and be sidelined six to eight months.
Six months from now is August. Eight months from now is mid-October, which means NBA training camps already will be under way.
And there is no guarantee that Noel recovers that quickly. Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is into his ninth month of recovery from a torn ACL in last year’s playoffs and said he is “far” from returning.
Noel is projected by many to be the top pick in the 2013 NBA draft. His injury raises questions as to whether he will even leave Kentucky after his freshman season, which previously was considered a formality.
The injury happened in Tuesday’s game at SEC foe Florida and set off a stream of tweets.