Orlando Magic's Victor Oladipo out indefinitely due to facial fracture

The Orlando Magic's young roster was expected to struggle this year, and today's news will not make things any easier, as second-year guard Victor Oladipo will be out indefinitely after suffering a facial fracture in practice Thursday, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced.

Oladipo, who was evaluated Thursday afternoon, will undergo a corrective surgical procedure on Saturday.  He was injured after taking an inadvertent elbow during a practice drill.

Oladipo (6’4”, 210) has not played during the preseason due to a sprained MCL in his left knee.  Last season, he played in 80 games during his rookie campaign with Orlando, averaging 13.8 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 4.1 apg., and a team-high 1.61 steals per game.

Oladipo also ranked among all NBA rookies in scoring (2nd), rebounding (T-8th), assists (3rd), FG percentage (.419, 8th), three-point FG percentage (.327, T-7th), FT percentage (.780, 6th), steals (2nd), and minutes played (3rd).

Originally selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Orlando, Oladipo was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team.  He was also named the NBA’s Rookie of the Month twice (December 2013, February 2014).

Orlando begins the 2014-15 regular season at New Orleans on Tuesday, October 28.  Orlando’s regular season home opener will be on Thursday, October 30 against Washington.

Magic News and Notes

In other Orlando Magic news, the team also signed center Nikola Vučević to a contract extension, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced Thursday.

Vučević, who played collegiately at USC, is a skilled big who can shoot outside and also score on the interior.

“Today is an exciting day for Nik (Vučević) and his family, as well as our entire organization,” said Hennigan.  “Since arriving in Orlando, Nik has demonstrated consistent work habits and a constant hunger to improve. He’s a high character, team-first player. We are proud of his development and are looking forward to continuing to grow together.”

Vučević (7’0”, 260) appeared and started in 57 games last season with Orlando, averaging 14.2 ppg., a team-high 11.0 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 31.8 minpg., while shooting a team-best .507 (353-696) from the floor.

Vučević was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the period ending March 30, 2014.  He recorded a team-high 36 double-doubles, including two 20-point/20-rebound efforts.  Vučević scored in double figures 46 times and had 20+ points in 11 games, including a career-high-tying 30 points on Nov. 6 vs. L.A. Clippers.

Originally selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Vučević was acquired by Orlando as part of a four-team, 12-player trade on Aug. 10, 2012.  He has appeared in 185 career NBA regular season games with Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 11.4 ppg., 9.7 rpg. and 1.5 apg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .504 (945-1,876) from the field.

Vučević finished fourth in voting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2012-13.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services