Grant-Foster Hurt in First Start, Jones Replaces Him for 'Toughest Stretch'
Head Coach Kenny Payne recently commented on his team's recent 5 game losing streak that includes two losses to open conference play. "I'm proud of how we're playing, but we're not there yet. This is a team that's still learning how to win."
While they continue their early season growing pains, DePaul is also dealing with injuries to multiple players. Javon Freeman-Liberty, who was the team's Captain and leading scorer, is out at least another month as he rehabs a major elbow injury.
In his place, Markese Jacobs stepped into the starting lineup and true freshman Ahamad Bynum saw an increase in minutes. A wrist injury kept Bynum's minutes in check, but he recently took to his Instagram to report that he's "100% back."
While the guards have stepped up in Freeman-Liberty's stead, the coaches also decided to make another change to the starting lineup. The coaching staff was upfront about looking for more offense; they replaced sophomore David Jones with Kansas transfer Tyon Grant-Foster.
Getting his first career start against Xavier, Grant-Foster unfortunately jammed his index finger on his shooting hand early in the second half. It's expected that DePaul will return back to David Jones as they prepare for their most difficult stretch of the conference schedule.
Upcoming games against Villanova, Georgetown, UConn and Creighton will test DePaul just as they try to bounce back from the current losing streak. Beyond that, trying to stay healthy while the coaching staff continues to evaluate the roster.
