SPASH standout, Marquette recruit Joey Hauser on mend from broken foot
STEVENS POINT - Joey Hauser drove to the basket, planted his foot and felt a pop and a surge of pain.
The Stevens Point Area Senior High senior, a top 50 national recruit for the class of 2018 who committed this summer to Marquette University, knew something was seriously wrong.
The diagnosis was a Jones fracture — a break in the bone in the middle of his foot just below his small toe.
"The doctor said (the foot) was already broken but not bad enough to the point it hurt real bad," Hauser said. "Something like a hairline fracture. I felt it but I just thought it was normal pain."
The senior forward had surgery Aug. 17 with nationally-renowned foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, who also treats the Green Bay Packers and other professional athletes.
Hauser was informed there would be an estimated six-week recovery and rehabilitation period following the surgery. He will be in a splint until Aug. 30 and then wear a protective boot for three weeks.
If there are no setbacks, Hauser should be ready for the opening of practice in November as SPASH seeks a fourth straight Division 1 state championship.
Hauser said doctors told him he can expect to be fully recovered with no movement or other hindrances by the time the season starts.
A first-team Associated Press all-state selection as a junior and 2018 Player of the Year candidate, Hauser topped the Panthers in scoring and rebounding last season at 23.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
He missed the first 11 games of the 2016-17 SPASH season with a high ankle sprain he suffered during the football playoffs.
News of the injury to Hauser traveled fast.
"When I first heard the news my initial concern was for Joey," said SPASH coach Scott Anderson, who received a text from one of the kids participating in the pick-up game. "You're hoping for the best for him and his family.
"Joey has certainly dealt with his share of injuries the last couple years. The news (since the surgery) has been nothing but positive and he'll have a full recovery and be good to go this season."
Hauser, who committed to Marquette University on July 23, informed his future college coach of the news. He said Steve Wojciechowski was familiar with Dr. Anderson when he worked with Kyrie Irving while the Golden Eagles head coach was an assistant coach at Duke.
By NCAA rules, Wojciechowski is not allowed to comment on recruits until they officially sign their letter-of-intent. Hauser will sign with Marquette during the fall signing period which begins Nov. 8.
"(Coach Wojo) is all filled in and knows what's going on," Hauser said. "He was extremely happy when he heard who the surgeon was because he knew (Dr. Anderson) and knew everything would be all good."
The injury will force Hauser to take a break from basketball — his first in some years. He has been competing non-stop during the high school season and then through the spring and summer AAU circuits with the Iowa Barnstormers.
"I love to work out, so (having to stay away from basketball) is going to be kind of hard," Hauser said. "It sucks that it happened, but it's probably a good thing to take a break because I've been going year round."
Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or by email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill