DURHAM, N.C. -- Rising senior Josh Hairston underwent successful surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. The surgery was performed at the Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center by Dr. David Ruch.

Hairston suffered the thumb injury in a mid-February practice but did not miss any game action.

Hairston, a 6-7, 240-pound forward, averaged 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, while playing in 35 games (six starts) last season. The Fredericksburg, Va., native led the Blue Devils in charges taken with 21 a year ago. Hairston reached double figures in scoring twice in 2012-13 and grabbed four or more rebounds in a game six times.

Duke returns eight letterwinners, including starters Quinn Cook and Rasheed Sulaimon, from last year's team that finished 30-6 and reached the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The Blue Devils also welcome back to the court Andre Dawkins as well as a freshman class of Matt Jones, Semi Ojeleye and Jabari Parker.

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