Point guard Jemar Perkins, who tore the ACL in his left knee during a preseason scrimmage in Tallahassee on Oct. 3, is working to get back on the court for the Sharks next season.
The 6-foot-1 freshman, required surgery to repair his ACL in October. He undergoes therapy sessions three times a week.
“I do weights, have scar tissue massages, and work out my knees to help strengthen my legs,” Perkins said.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Perkins joined Miami Dade College after his high school coach put him in contact with men’s Head Basketball Coach Stephen Cowherd.
“Jemar loves basketball. Some other guys, maybe they’ll maybe take a year off and rethink, but he’s not that person at all,” Cowherd said recently. “We opened up the gym yesterday for guys to shoot before the game and he was here shooting, and he’s not even playing.”
Even though the injury has relegated Perkins to the sidelines, he has remained a staunch supporter of his teammates. The Sharks are currently 13-10.
“I think our chances are good, [my teammates] work hard,” Perkins said. “If we just stay together and keep working, we’ll be where we want to be by the end of the season.”
Off the court, Perkins, who turned 19 this past Christmas, majors in business and hopes to own a restaurant in St. Louis one day.
But for now, Perkins is focused on his return to the court. He will be with the Sharks next season as a freshman because he received a medical redshirt due to his injury.
“I hope, and I just gotta pray everyday that I’ll be able to play next season,” Perkins said.
The Sharks next game is on the road against conference foe Eastern Florida State College at 6 p.m. on Feb. 2
