Redshirt senior guard Jaylen Shead will likely not return to play this season due to compounded injuries that he suffered in recent months.

Shead first showed signs of injury against Idaho State University in November. He left the game with an apparent leg injury. In the post-game press conference, head coach Kyle Smith said Shead’s presence is greatly appreciated by the team.

“Hopefully it’s nothing too major,” Smith said at the time. “[We] can’t afford to lose his ball handling.”

Shead started in seven games this season; his last start against New Mexico State University in December. His minutes decreased in the next two games and then he did not play for three straight games.

WSU’s first conference win this year against UCLA included Shead’s return to play when he contributed six minutes off the bench. Shead played 12 minutes in the following road trip against California but sat out once more when WSU faced Stanford.

Arguably, Shead’s most impactful game this season was against the Idaho Vandals in December. He scored six points, dished out nine assists, brought in eight rebounds and added three steals. This was Shead’s second to last time in the starting lineup.

During his post-game interview against Idaho, Shead said he has always been one to fight through injuries.

“I’m not worried about anything. I’m going to play through it no matter what,” Shead said.

Shead’s current hip injury remains an issue for his future this season. During Smith’s weekly press conference, Smith did not confirm if Shead would return this season, but said it is unlikely.

“He’s given a great effort,” Smith said. “He’s one of those guys where he’s not going to take himself out.”