Ava MillerLSU forward Jalen Reed committed to the Michigan Wolverines on April 23, 2026, capping a story few athletes could tell: two separate season-ending injuries in consecutive years, two medical hardship waivers, and an unbroken determination to keep playing college basketball. Reed, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound power forward, suffered an ACL tear in December 2024 and then an Achilles rupture just six games into the 2025-26 season. He was averaging 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game when the Achilles gave way.
His story raises questions anyone who has suffered a major lower-body injury will recognize: how long does recovery really take, what are the realistic chances of returning to full performance, and when should you see a specialist?
Two of the Most Feared Injuries in Sports, Back to Back
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the Achilles tendon are two of the most load-bearing structures in the human body. Tearing either one sidelines most athletes for nearly a year. Tearing both — in succession — is an entirely different challenge.
Reed tore his ACL in December 2024. NBA data shows that professional basketball players average 367 days (about 12 months) before returning to competitive play after ACL reconstruction, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. In college athletes, recovery timelines are similar.
Then, in November 2025 — barely five months after his ACL recovery would typically be considered complete — Reed suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg.
The timing matters medically. Recovery from ACL reconstruction peaks at about 12 months, but neuromuscular control and full explosive power often take 18 to 24 months to fully return. If Reed suffered an Achilles rupture while still in late ACL rehabilitation, his body was under compounded stress — a situation that increases the risk of compensatory injuries.
ACL Recovery: Better Odds Than You Think
The statistics on ACL recovery are more encouraging than many patients expect. A 2021 study of NBA players found that 97.2% of those who underwent ACL reconstruction successfully returned to professional competition. That is a high success rate by any standard.
However, "returning to play" is not the same as returning to pre-injury performance. Research shows that the average professional basketball player takes approximately 1.5 to 2 seasons to reach their pre-injury efficiency ratings. Many players report not fully regaining explosive first-step quickness until their second full season back.
Reinjury risk is another factor. According to the Cleveland Clinic, athletes aged 18 to 25 face a roughly 2.6% risk of re-tearing the same ACL — and a higher risk of tearing the opposite knee's ACL due to compensatory movement patterns during recovery.
Achilles Recovery: A Longer Road, a Harder Return
Achilles tendon ruptures are generally considered harder to recover from than ACL tears, particularly for athletes who depend on explosive lower-body movement.
According to research on elite basketball players, the average return-to-play after a complete Achilles rupture is 11.23 months — nearly identical to ACL recovery timelines, but with a meaningfully lower rate of return to pre-injury performance. Studies show that while 83% to 85% of elite players do return to competition, almost none fully replicate their pre-injury athleticism. Average performance efficiency ratings drop by roughly 3.5 points after Achilles rupture, and the performance deficit can persist for two or more seasons.
The reason is biomechanical: the Achilles tendon is responsible for propulsion — the explosive push-off that powers sprinting, jumping, and rapid changes of direction. Even a surgically repaired tendon often carries permanent scar tissue that slightly alters how force is transmitted through the foot and ankle.
When One Injury Follows Another: The Double Recovery Challenge
Klay Thompson is the most cited parallel to Reed's situation. Thompson tore his ACL in June 2019 and his Achilles in November 2020 — a back-to-back sequence that kept him out of NBA competition for 941 days. When he returned in January 2022, his numbers were noticeably diminished for the better part of two seasons before gradually recovering.
For Reed, the timeline is potentially even more compressed. Five months separated his ACL and Achilles injuries, meaning he was almost certainly still in intensive rehabilitation for the first when the second occurred. The physical and psychological toll of extended absence from the game is well-documented: loss of rhythm, reduced confidence, and the psychological challenge of learning to trust an injured leg are all factors that take time to overcome even after physical healing is complete.
What This Means for Everyday Athletes
Jalen Reed is 21 years old and has elite sports medicine resources supporting his recovery. For recreational athletes and weekend warriors dealing with similar injuries — like the growing number affected by ACL tears in basketball, as seen in high-profile cases throughout the 2025-26 season — the path back is similar in structure but often longer in practice.
If you have suffered an ACL tear, Achilles rupture, or any significant lower-body injury, the most important early steps are:
- Get a proper diagnosis via MRI — these injuries require imaging to assess severity
- Work with a sports medicine specialist or orthopedic surgeon experienced in the specific ligament or tendon involved
- Do not rush return to activity — the most common error in ligament and tendon recovery is returning too soon, which dramatically increases reinjury risk
- Follow a structured rehabilitation program — the neuromuscular retraining phase (teaching the body to move safely again) is as important as the surgical repair
Note: This article provides general health information and does not constitute medical advice. If you suspect an ACL or Achilles injury, consult a licensed medical professional.
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