Louisville’s Reyne Smith re-injures his ankle in March Madness and leaves court with towel over head

By Canadian Press on March 20, 2025.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Louisville guard Reyne Smith tried to play through an injured right ankle that kept him out of the Cardinals’ last four games.

With 11:37 left in the Cardinals’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Thursday, his ankle gave way and Smith collapsed into the fetal position, likely ending his March Madness run.

Louisville trailed No. 9 seed Creighton 65-52 in the South Region matchup when Smith went down. He missed the Cardinals’ regular-season finale and all three games at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, including their first appearance in the title game, which they lost to Duke.

With Smith curled up on the court and visibly upset across from the Louisville bench, his teammates hugged each other while surrounding him. First-year coach Pat Kelsey knelt over Smith before signaling for a towel.

Smith put the towel over his head, then was helped off the court, barely able to put any weight on his right foot.

The senior from Australia started and played 20 minutes before aggravating his injured ankle. He left with five points.

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The Associated Press

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