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Creighton forward Zach Hanson had knee surgery Wednesday, and will likely be out eight to 12 weeks.

“Hopefully, we have him for the start of the season,” coach Greg McDermott said. “I don’t think he’ll be back for the start of practice.”

Creighton begins official practices Sept. 30. The Bluejays have been lifting four times a week and doing skill workouts twice a week for an hour.

McDermott said the surgery was the result of a “fluke injury” Hanson suffered this summer and declined to give more specifics.

Hanson hasn’t been available much anyway, McDermott said. He has been resting because of ankle issues he dealt with during the season.

The coach expects the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder from Pierre, South Dakota, to bounce back quickly when he returns. The big issue will be his conditioning.

“He’s been through everything three times. The learning curve isn’t going to be very steep,” McDermott said. “Been here, done that.”

Hanson averaged 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds his junior year. He started one game for the Bluejays, who went 20-15 last season.

McDermott said this is Hanson’s first long-term injury with the Bluejays.