“Taking it one day at a time”. That’s been a common phrase uttered out of the mouth of Pacers All-Star Guard Victor Oladipo this entire season. Oladipo has entered month 11 of the rehab process since tearing his quad in January and part of the rehab process now is running full-court in practice with the Pacers G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Oladipo has been ‘sent down’ to practice with Fort Wayne several times already, this week showing up to the ASH Centre in Fort Wayne on Tuesday and Wednesday.

From watching Vic the last 25-30 minutes of practice when the Ants scrimmaged, I saw nothing from Oladipo that arose caution. He was driving, running at near full speed, cutting, hitting tough shots, including a filthy baseline step-back jumper over Pacers Guard Edmond Sumner, who is also rehabbing from a broken hand. He’s due back sometime soon as well.

After practice, Oladipo spoke with the Fort Wayne media for the first time for around ten minutes. The two time All-Star said he’s enjoyed coming up to The Summit City to run with the Ants and get the feeling of playing basketball back.

When asked what the next step in the rehab process was? Oladipo said, “Playing in a game. That will be the next step after that.”

The Pacers and their star guard have kept things pretty under wrap with a timetable for his return. Rumors floated saying the end of the 2019 calendar year, but that was not confirmed by anyone within the organization.

Judging from what I saw today, Oladipo looks like he never left the court. I can’t imagine basketball fans everywhere will have to wait much longer until the ‘feathery’ one throws on that #4 jersey and returns to the Pacers starting five for the first time in almost a year. Something Pacers fans in particular have been anxiously awaiting.