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BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech will open its preseason basketball camp next month without sophomore forward Kerry Blackshear. Blackshear, who had surgery on his right foot five days after last season ended, is in a walking boot and will not be ready to practice with the team, a source said Friday.

No timetable has been set for Blackshear’s return, the source said.

The Hokies start coach Buzz Williams’ annual boot camp Sunday. Training camp opens Oct. 15.

No other players are expected to miss the start of camp, the source said.

The 6-foot-10, 260-pound Florida native dealt with a foot issue all last season but still played in all 35 of the Hokies’ games, averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds while playing 19.2 minutes per game and starting five contests.

Thursday, Williams tweeted a picture of Blackshear that showed the player wearing the protective walking boot.

With Blackshear sidelined and Shane Henry, a senior last season, and Satchel Pierce, who transferred out, both gone, Tech will be short on experienced big bodies in camp as they continue Williams’ rebuilding job.