Report: FSU forward Jaylan Gainey expected to miss 2022-23 season with knee injury

On3 imageby:Chandler Vessels10/04/22

ChandlerVessels

Florida State big man Jaylan Gainey will miss the 2022-23 season due to a knee injury, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. A graduate transfer from Brown, Gainey had yet to play his first game in a Seminoles jersey.

The 6-foot-9 Gainey averaged 9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game this past season, all while shooting a staggering 70.3% from the field. He is also a two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and recorded 124 career blocks in only 65 games at Brown.

Gainey reportedly chose Florida State over interest from Duke, Arkansas, Oklahoma and several others. He has one more year of college eligibility remaining, which may be used in 2023-24.

The Seminoles finished 17-14 this past season and will aim for better results in 2022-23. But now if they are to achieve that, it will have to come without Jaylan Gainey, who was expected to be a key piece down low prior to the injury.

But FSU still has plenty of talent in the post. The Seminoles return 7-foot-4 center Naheem McLeod, who started five games this past season. They also brought in freshmen Cameron Corhen, De’Ante Green and Baba Miller.

Florida State will tip off the 2022-23 season on Nov. 7 at home against Stetson.

Jaylan Gainey on why he chose Florida State

Following his commitment to the Seminoles in March, Jaylan Gainey spoke with On3 about why he chose to come to Tallahassee.

“The program at Florida State is made for players to succeed,” he said. “The coaching staff is great and made me feel like family while I was there. My playstyle fits and translates to their system. Being there will help me expand my game and take it to the next level.”

After Gainey’s visit, On3’s Jamie Shaw caught up with the big man to get his thoughts.

“My visit was great. They really treated me like family,” Gainey said. “They showed me I could be a big part of their offense and defense because my playstyle fits and translates to their entire system.”

On3’s Joe Tipton contributed to this report.