Basketball

Jaz Kunc cleared for non-contact drills,

Iowa State’s Jaz Kunc participated in practice Thursday for the first time since his injury this season ahead of the team’s matchup against Kansas set for Saturday.

Kunc was cleared to participate only in non-contact drills.

“Today he was able to participate in some of the shooting drills and those things but not in live practice,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said.

There is still no certainty as to whether Kunc will play in the KU game or if his return will come later down the road.

Otzelberger did confirm that it is possible that he could be cleared to go back to full-contact participation between now and Saturday.

“So, we’re 48 hours out from our game and the question is going to be, ‘Is he going to play,’ and like I said when we delt with Caleb’s situation, we’re going to do what’s best for Jaz,” Otzelberger said.

Saturday’s game against Kansas will be the opener to a Hilton Coliseum doubleheader as the men’s team squares off at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN and the women host Baylor at 5:00 p.m. on ESPNU.

@cyclonefanatic