Tucker DeVries Expected to Be Fully Healthy for WVU Next Season

The clock simply ran out for Tucker DeVries. The recovery timeline for West Virginia’s injured star did not line up with the rest of this season, so the decision was made Tuesday for him to shut it down and have season-ending surgery.

“Ultimately, it was something where we just couldn’t get to that point and we had to have the surgery,” WVU coach Darian DeVries, Tucker’s father, said Friday. “Without getting into a lot of details about that, that part is done, it’s over and now we’re starting a new process of rehab.”

Coach DeVries said his son had successful surgery for the upper-body injury that has kept him out since Dec. 10. Initially, the hope was that Tucker DeVries would be able to return to the Mountaineers sometime this season, but as the weeks passed it became less and less likely.

“When we had to shut him down, it was one of those things where we were doing everything possible to try and get him back,” Coach DeVries said. “He wanted to be a part of this group and what we had going.”

DeVries played eight games for the Mountaineers this season after following his father from Drake. The two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year was averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.7 steals while shooting 47.3% from three. 

Along with the decision to have surgery, DeVries will also apply for a medical redshirt in order to return to WVU and play in the 2025-26 season. There were questions about whether DeVries would come back to WVU or try to turn pro.

“I know from his standpoint, he’s looking forward to getting back and being healthy again after two or three months or so,” Coach DeVries said.

This injury has been affecting DeVries for several years at this point. His father said the last time he was fully healthy was at the end of his sophomore season in 2023.

“It’s been a long, long process for him. I know he’s tired of the training room,” Coach DeVries said.

One positive to shutting down his season and having the surgery now is that DeVries will have a full offseason, as opposed to last year when he had offseason surgery.

“Obviously he wanted to play and he wanted to get back but he’s able to have (surgery) now instead of the last couple of years missing the whole offseason,” Coach DeVries said. “Being able to train and get in the weight room and working on his game, that part works out better than the last couple of years, if you’re trying to find a bright side.”

WVU has gone 8-6 without DeVries with wins over top-10 wins over Kansas and Iowa State. Freshman Jonathan Powell has been in the starting lineup since DeVries’s injury.

WVU basketball hosts Utah tomorrow for a 5 p.m. tipoff inside the Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

For a related story, WVU basketball may cost itself a tournament bid.