College basketball's freshman sensation at center is going to need some "time off," as Joel Embiid's coach Bill Self said of the breakout seven-foot star.

According to ESPN, Self, the Kansas Jayhawks coach, said Embiid is dealing with back and knee injuries and he will "need some time off." Enjoying a breakout season with Kansas, the center from Cameroon was limited to 18 minutes in the team's 85-82 loss to Kansas State Monday night.

"I'm not going to make one excuse for him, because if you're out there, you have to (perform)," Self said. "But certainly he's going to get some time off."

Embiid shot 2-5 from the floor and only had six points and six rebounds. On the season, he is averaging 10.7 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and .667 free throw percentage.

He has also rocketed his draft stock from not even present to being discussed as one of the top potential lottery picks. Jayhawks teammate Andrew Wiggins and Duke forward Jabari Parker garnered most of the preseason hype as standout freshmen, along with Kentucky's Julius Randle and Arizona's Aaron Gordon. Embiid, who has stated he would seriously consider returning to school next year, is now mentioned as highly as anyone in the sport.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Embiid is dealing with a sprained knee, which required him to wear a compression sleeve on it, as well as a sore back and side. Now with injuries sidelining the breakout big man, Embiid will have more to consider when thinking about going pro.

Despite was Embiid has said about possibly returning to Kansas, Self told the Kansas City Star he has heard players say they would come back to school then declare for the draft.

Embiid stated his reasoning for coming back to school would be to refine his game and get stronger. Growing up in Cameroon, he is relatively new to basketball in comparison to a teammate like Wiggins, who have been on the hardcourt his whole life.