Damari Monsanto and Wake Forest were dealt a tough blow on Wednesday. The basketball program announced that Monsanto — an incoming transfer from East Tennessee State — will miss the entire 2021-22 season following surgery.
According to a report from Les Johns of Demon Deacon Digest, Monsanto suffered an Achilles injury. That’s significant. The recovery process is lengthy.
Monsanto was recruited to East Tennessee State by Steve Forbes. The 6-foot-6 took a redshirt during the 2019-20 season; in April 2020, Forbes was hired by Wake Forest to replace Danny Manning.
During the 2020-21 season, Monsanto averaged 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Monsanto is a major 3-point shooting prospect; 59 percent of his field goal attempts this season came from beyond the arc (35.8 3P%).
According to Synergy Sports, Monsanto scored 1.1 points per spot-up possession. Monsanto was named SoCon Freshman of the Year.
WF transfer Damari Monsanto will miss next season.
Steve Forbes: "Damari Monsanto underwent successful season-ending surgery today. This has been a difficult week for Damari, his family and our program. I am extremely grateful for the medical care our players receive …”
— Conor O'Neill (@ConorONeillFA) June 9, 2021
Following the season, Monsanto entered the transfer portal and committed to Wake Forest. Jason Shay, his coach at ETSU this season, joined the Wake Forest staff, too. In fact, Monsanto entered the portal after Shay resigned.
The pieces truly seemed lined up, finally. Monsanto would get to play for two different coaches he knows well. The Demon Deacons were in desperate need of a shot-maker, too; there were a major role available. Monsanto really could’ve fit nicely with Carter Whitt, Daivien Williamson and Alondes Williams.
That will have to wait, though. Now, with Monsanto out, Wake Forest will need ever more from Whitt, Williamson and Williams on the perimeter. So, too, will the rookie trio of Cam Hildreth, Lucas Taylor and Robert McCray.