Courtesy: Saint Louis Athletics

Saint Louis University was picked to finish second in the Atlantic-10 and now just a few days into practice, the Billikens were dealt a tough blow when fifth year senior guard Kwamain Mitchel broke a bone in his left foot. The team’s captain had 126 assists with a 2-1 assist-turnover ratio, tying him for best in the A-10 last season.

Mitchell had surgery on Monday and will be in a cast for five to six weeks. He’ll then begin rehab and if he misses six weeks, he’ll likely miss SLU’s first six games.

“Kwamain is an important part of our team,” SLU interim head coach Jim Crews said. “There is now an opportunity for others to step up in his place. We look forward to having Kwamain back playing this season. In the meantime, he will be very valuable on the bench as he is truly an extension of the coaching staff.”