Keion Brooks is back, but Kentucky still short-handed for Central Michigan game

Junior forward Keion Brooks will return to the Kentucky lineup for Monday night’s game against Central Michigan, but veteran guard Davion Mintz is still sidelined.

Mintz, who led the Cats in scoring last season, did not participate in pregame warm-ups Monday night, and UK confirmed before tipoff that he would be unable to play. This will be the third consecutive game that Mintz has missed with an illness, starting with the Nov. 22 game against Albany. He played in Kentucky’s first four games and is averaging 7.5 points in 21.3 minutes per game off the bench so far this season.

Brooks will return to the team after missing the Cats’ game against North Florida on Friday night. Brooks took part in early warm-ups for that game but was ruled out shortly before tipoff due to illness. He’s averaging 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, both second-best on the team. Freshman Daimion Collins started in Brooks’ place Friday night and tallied 12 points and six rebounds in a season-high 25 minutes.

The starting lineup for Monday is Brooks, Sahvir Wheeler, TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady and Oscar Tshiebwe.

Jacob Toppin and Lance Ware are also available again off the bench Monday after missing a few games each with injuries. They both returned to the court Friday night against North Florida.

In addition to Mintz, the Cats will be without transfer guard CJ Fredrick, who is out with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the entire 2021-22 season.

Kentucky won’t play again for eight days, with the Wildcats’ next game scheduled for Dec. 7 against Southern University at Rupp Arena.