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Vanderbilt Basketball: Following injury, Aaron Nesmith’s season deserves more praise

By Cody Larson

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 12: Aaron Nesmith #24 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on January 12, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 12: Aaron Nesmith #24 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on January 12, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 23: Aaron Nesmith #24 and Joe Toye #2 of the Vanderbilt Commodores (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 23: Aaron Nesmith #24 and Joe Toye #2 of the Vanderbilt Commodores (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Closing thoughts

Nesmith is the living and walking definition of efficiency. To a degree that we have never quite seen from a college-level wing before. It’s a shame fans won’t be able to see that kind of efficiency for the rest of the season, all thanks to one petty injury.

It’s a shame Vanderbilt Basketball must go through another spoiled season thanks to injury, and it’s a shame that Nesmith’s rising draft stock will likely only move in reverse from here on out.

Vanderbilt will look to key supporting players Saben Lee and Scotty Pippen Jr. following Nesmith’s absence; it will be a difficult adjustment for the Commodores. As for their injured star wing, head coach Jerry Stackhouse feels like his player is in a much more optimistic spot.

"“I feel so bad for that kid. (Nesmith) was emotional. He was in tears, (but) I think his draft stock is right there in a good spot. It’s not a ligament injury or anything like that. It’s something that will be corrected, and he’ll get back 100 percent.”"

Nesmith’s status as a first round draft prospect seems locked despite his injury. Because of that, his exit from Vanderbilt after this season also seems certain. He will strictly look towards making sure he is completely healthy come draft season.

Scouts will have plenty of good things to look at regarding Nesmith; his output this season will be cemented in history. It’s just a sad fact for fans that there won’t be any more cementing done by him for the rest of the season.

Next. Top 25 national power rankings. dark

It’s also a sad fact that a lot of Nesmith’s solidifying of history went unnoticed in the moment. Hopefully now, in retrospect, that will not be the case. Nesmith put together a jaw-dropping yet short 14 game season for Vanderbilt in 2019-20. He deserves praise-in-plenty for that as he looks to take the next step in his career.

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