Aaron Scott to play injured in NCAA Tournament

Aaron Scott, a player for St. John’s, will participate in the NCAA Tournament despite having a torn ligament in his right thumb. The injury will need surgery later, but it will not stop him from playing. "I don’t feel it," Scott said before his team's opening game against Omaha. Scott hurt his thumb during the Big East Tournament semifinals against Marquette. He played well the next night, logging 39 minutes on the court. He credited the team trainers for helping him manage the injury with special support to keep his thumb stable. He is known as one of St. John’s best defenders and top three-point shooters. Scott had a productive Big East Tournament, averaging over ten points per game. Coach Rick Pitino humorously noted that Scott seems to be shooting better with his injury. St. John’s is looking ahead to next season, with Pitino expecting several players to return. Some key players, including star forward Zuby Ejiofor, are likely to stay. However, leading scorer RJ Luis Jr. may enter the NBA draft but has not made a final decision. In related news, Arkansas coach John Calipari announced that star forward Adou Thiero will not play in the first-round game against Kansas due to a hyperextended knee. Thiero, who has been out since February 22, is the team's leading scorer and rebounder. Calipari expressed surprise that his team was not placed in the same tournament pod with St. John’s.