The 2012-13 college basketball season still is months away, but Georgia Tech was dealt a tough blow when incoming freshman point guard Corey Heyward tore his left ACL in a pickup game last Thursday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

"We feel terrible about his injury, but it's a temporary setback and we'll be with him every step of the way back," (head coach Brian) Gregory said in a statement.

Heyward could return during ACC play in January or February, but he would miss out on most of his freshman season. It appears likely he would take a medical redshirt and have four years of eligibility beginning the following season.

Heyward signed with Georgia Tech out of Hargrave Military Academy and graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga. He enrolled at Tech in May and was expected to be the backup point guard this upcoming season.

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