Alex Poythress tears ACL in VTB United League game

It’s been a tough week for former Kentucky Wildcats’ knees. On Wednesday, Lamont Butler tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus. On the same day, Alex Poythress tore his ACL during Zenit Saint Petersburg BC’s home game vs. BETCITY Parma. Both Poythress and Butler will be out for the remainder of their seasons.

As you likely recall, this is Poythress’ second torn ACL. He tore the ACL in his left knee during a Kentucky practice back in December 2014. It’s not confirmed which knee he injured on Wednesday, but it’s upsetting news for the 32-year-old, who ranks sixth all-time in games played for Zenit, at 181, the most of any foreign player in club history. Poythress was averaging 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds over seven games in the VTB United League season.

This is Poythress’ tenth year as a professional. After graduating from Kentucky in 2016, he played in the G League and on two-way deals with the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks before moving overseas. This is his second stint with Zenit BC; during the first, he won a VTB United League title in 2022.

Poythress returned to Lexington this summer to support La Familia’s run in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). He couldn’t play for Kentucky’s alumni squad due to his contract with Zenit BC, but he did participate in the Champions Charity Game, joining fellow former Cats Andrew and Aaron Harrison, DeAndre Liggins, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller, Julius Mays, Ansley Almonor, Dominique Hawkins, and Jarrod Polson on the court. It seemed like no time had passed at all when he threw down this dunk:

Good being back in Lex! 💙 https://t.co/mEgWbN6juX

— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) July 13, 2025

Best of luck to Poythress in his recovery. He’s got a beautiful two-year-old daughter to keep his spirits high:

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