Fortunately, the surgery to rehabilitate Robinson’s injured right wrist was successful, although he will be sidelined for the season.

Kentucky Wildcats graduate guard Jaxson Robinson, one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, had surgery on his right wrist Wednesday. It’s the wrist injury that is causing Robinson to miss the rest of the season.

“The surgery was perfect,” Pope said during his Thursday press conference. “I talked to (Robinson) last night. He was a little tired and a little irritable, but he’s on his way back right now.”

The plan is for Robinson to travel with the team during the SEC and NCAA Tournaments later this month.

“We’ll see how he feels when he gets back,” Pope said. “I know he’s gonna want to be with the team every second he can, and we want him to be. I know it’s tough to travel. Tough 48 hours for him, and we’ll see how he is once he gets here.”

The BYU transfer was off to a sizzling start in SEC play this season, shooting 46.2% from the floor, including 45.7% from 3-point range and 72.2% from the free-throw line. Robinson also averaged 14.4 points per game in 11 SEC games this season.

Kentucky is on the road Saturday at Missouri in its final regular-season game before heading to Nashville next week for the SEC Tournament.