Mississippi State freshman guard Fred Thomas will be out about six weeks after undergoing foot surgery on Wednesday. He's scheduled to have the procedure to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, the school said in a release.

It shouldn't affect his status for the coming season.

"It’s disappointing because Fred came in with a tremendous attitude and ready to go to work,” first-year MSU coach Rick Ray said in a statement. “Fortunately, we caught it at a time where we expect to have him back at the start of practice."

MSU begins preseason practices Oct. 12, and the season begins Nov. 9 at Troy.

Thomas (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) is the second freshman to undergo surgery this summer. Jacoby Davis, who'd been expected to start at point guard, had surgery a few weeks ago to repair a torn ACL.

Thomas comes from Jackson Jim Hill High School, which he led to the Class 6A state title this season. He averaged 19.9 points and 5.9 rebounds as a senior and is expected to compete for a starting job this season.

Thomas was academically cleared by the NCAA just last week.