Arizona Wildcats: Miller confirms Smith out for season

Smith tore his left ACL in July 2014, causing him to miss his senior season at Las Vegas High School, and UA coach Sean Miller said the latest setback was "incredibly disappointing." Miller had consistently praised the way Smith rehabilitated the injury both in Las Vegas and upon arriving in Tucson last summer.

Here's Miller's statement in full:

“Ray Smith is one of the most talented young players that has ever entered our program. The news of his injury is incredibly disappointing on several levels. However, the togetherness of our program is one of our strengths. Our great fans, former and current players, our medical and coaching staffs along with Ray’s family look forward to the challenges of helping him reach all of his goals and dreams. His journey in getting to the top of the mountain might be different, but I have tremendous belief that he will get there with this type of support, his amazing determination to succeed and the love of the game of basketball that he possesses. Today, Ray Smith remains one of the most talented young players we have ever had at Arizona and that has not changed.”

Smith was expected to start or play a major role off the bench at small forward for the Wildcats, and he was the team's only prototypical small forward. Miller also said Smith would have likely been a McDonalds All-American had he been able to play last season.

Smith's loss likely means the 6-foot-9 Mark Tollefsen and 6-4 Allonzo Trier will likely play more at the position.