UCLA junior forward Alfred Aboya suffered a fracture of the orbital floor below his right eye during Friday night's 81-47 win over Yale at Pauley Pavilion.
A member of the UCLA staff told ESPN.com that Aboya will meet with a specialist this weekend to determine if he needs surgery or if he can play with a mask. If he needs the surgery he could be out indefinitely.
Aboya's injury couldn't come at a worse time for the depleted Bruins. UCLA is still without all-American point guard Darren Collison, who hasn't played this season because of a sprained knee. Collison target return was scheduled to be Wednesday against George Washington but there is a chance that it could be extended.
Meanwhile, guard Michael Roll, a 3-point specialist, hasn't played this season either due to a rupture of his plantar fascia. Forward James Keefe, who would have helped now that Aboya could be out, is hoping for a late-December return due to a shoulder surgery.
Aboya, a 6-8 native of Cameroon, has been heralded Kevin Love's practice partner, banging with the high-profile freshman center every day in practice to prepare him for the rigors of the college season.
Aboya can be a starter next to Love, or rotate with Lorenzo Mata-Real in the position next to Love. Aboya was averaging 21.8 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.6 rebounds in the first five games. But Aboya did come up with a critical steal in the win over Michigan State last Tuesday night in Kansas City at the CBE Classic.
Senior writer Andy Katz covers college basketball for ESPN.com.
Source: ESPN.com
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