Injury Update On Blazers Lottery Pick

After suffering a shoulder injury during Summer League, the Portland Trail Blazers No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Shaedon Sharpe has been cleared to take the next big step in his rehab.

After suffering a small labral tear in his left shoulder in Portland's first 2022 Las Vegas Summer League game on July 7, @ShaedonSharpe has returned to shooting. Not sure when he was cleared, but he is cleared.

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) August 12, 2022

Sharpe has returned to shooting, a significant step after suffering a small tear in his labrum after just one game in Las Vegas. In fact, he was able to play just six minutes—those being the only six minutes he's played in a competitive game in well over a year, as he didn't suit up for Kentucky in his only college season.

The Blazers took a leap of faith drafting the 5-star Canadian recruit at No. 7, as no one could be sure how he'd perform against competition higher than high school level. 

The 19-year-old will be able to be eased into his first NBA role, as he'll be playing behind the likes of 6-time All-Star Damian Lillard, and 2021-22 breakout star Anfernee Simons in the Blazers backcourt. Portland has plenty of other guard depth as well, with Josh Hart, Gary Payton II, and Kris Dunn, among others. 

Photos: Matt Stone / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK, Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports