Mike Gesell, a member of the Iowa men’s basketball team, is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a broken bone in his left hand July 18 during a Prime Time basketball game.

Gesell, a native of South Sioux City, Neb., started 30 of 34 games as a freshman and ranked third on the team in scoring (8.7 points per contest), steals (40), and assists (89).

The 6-2 guard missed four games and was limited in other contests late in the season due to a stress reaction in his right foot. Despite missing time, Gesell became the only Hawkeye freshman to post 295 or more points, 85 or more rebounds, and 85 or most assists in a season.

Iowa is scheduled to travel overseas and play six exhibition games in mid-August. Gesell’s status for those games will be determined at a later date after further evaluation.

Iowa teammate, and good friend, Anthony Clemmons said on Sunday that Gesell remains in high spirits despite having to wear a cast.

“He’s not as down as I thought he would be,” Clemmons said. “With an injury like that, it’s always sad, but he came into the house laughing because he had a purple cast on.”