LOUISVILLE, Ky. — University of Louisville senior Malik Williams can't catch a break. Williams reinjured his right foot Saturday in the second half of the men's basketball game at Duke. Williams is expected to be out 4-6 weeks but won't require surgery. 

Williams returned to the court for the first time this season on Feb. 20 after fracturing his fifth metatarsal on his right foot in Nov. 2020. He scored four points, had three rebounds, and an assist against North Carolina. Williams followed that game with eight points and 10 rebounds against Notre Dame, which was also the first time he started a game this season.  

According to the University of Louisville, Williams worked slow and steady to return to the court. He was working out on the water treadmill, focusing on strength and agility, as well as balance and stability drills. For the past three months, he has received bone stimulator treatments every day. Two weeks ago Williams was cleared by medical personnel to begin playing basketball.

At the beginning of the season, Williams was elected team captain by his teammates for the second straight year. In his career with UofL, Williams has scored 619 points and 462 rebounds. 

This is the second consecutive season that Williams was injured and had to start the season on the bench. He broke a bone in his right foot in practice on Sept. 20, 2019, and had a screw inserted into the fifth metatarsal days later. He returned after eight weeks.