Star Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson suffers apparent left ankle injury early in first round of NCAA tournament
Jefferson turned his ankle less than three minutes into the game against Tennessee State.
Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson was helped off the court straight to the Cyclones’ locker room less than three minutes into No. 2 ISU’s first-round game against No. 15 Tennessee State on Friday.
Jefferson went down after making a layup when he turned his left ankle severely as soon as he landed. He immediately writhed in pain when he hit the floor and stayed there before he was tended to by Iowa State’s training staff. Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson was helped off the floor after an apparent ankle injury pic.
twitter. com/R4xaFzgsJU — CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 20, 2026 As Jefferson was helped to his feet, he was unable to put any weight on his left ankle as he left the court. Per the CBS broadcast, Jefferson was immediately taken in for X-rays.
The senior forward was an all-Big 12 performer this season as Iowa State was one of the pre-tournament favorites to win the national title. Jefferson is averaging 17 points, 7. 6 rebounds and nearly five assists a game this season and has two triple-doubles.