Harry Giles to miss six weeks after undergoing left knee arthroscopic surgery

Freshman star could miss start of 2016-17 season due to third knee surgery in the past three years.

Eamon Queeney—North State Journal
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski sports a National Championship ring as he takes questions during a press conference between the first and second rounds of the NCAA men's Division I basketball tournament at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence

DURHAM — Harry Giles, a five-star freshman forward, is expected to miss six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday.Duke announced the “successful” surgery for Giles was performed by Dr. Claude T. Moorman, the head physician at Duke University Medical Center. The left knee surgery was Giles’ third procedure in as many years and could cost him the season opener on Nov. 11 against Marist in Cameron Indoor Stadium.”We’re very pleased with the outcome of today’s procedure,” Mike Krzyzewski said in a release. “This is the right step for Harry at the moment as it will help him be 100 percent going forward. Harry has done a tremendous job in rehabilitation over the last year and I’m sure he’ll continue to do the same after this procedure.”The 6-foot-10 forward suffered a torn right ACL that cost him his senior season at Oak Hill Academy. He also previously tore his left ACL prior to signing with the Blue Devils.If Giles does miss the predicted six weeks it takes to recover from the procedure, he would miss both the Marist and Granyon games. So who do the Devils play the day after Giles’ projected return date of Nov. 14? None other than the Kansas Jayhawks in Madison Square Garden. That’s a huge showdown for a freshman player’s first collegiate game. But with depth inside that includes fellow freshman Marques Bolden and returning Amile Jefferson, Duke is still in good hands to start the season.