Nerlens Noel injury: Athletes react on Twitter to news of Kentucky center's torn ACL

The reaction to Kentucky's announcement that Nerlens Noel suffered a torn ACL was swift on Twitter. Shortly after UK confirmed that it was a season-ending injury, the Wildcats' center sent out his own upbeat tweet about the "setback:"

Minor setback for a MAJOR comeback!I love you all and can't thank y'all enough for the prayers.

— Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) February 13, 2013

Noel's injury will obviously be a flashpoint in the debate over the NBA's minimum age requirement, as Noel was likely a high lottery pick right out of high school and appeared to be one-and-done at Kentucky. Now, regardless of what level he's at this fall, he'll likely be rehabbing the ACL injury for at least the rest of 2013.

John Calipari also took to Twitter and reiterated Noel's positive attitude about the injury:

I’ve been coaching for 22 years and this is the first injury we’ve had of this kind during the season, which makes it even more devastating.

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) February 13, 2013

I met with Nerlens earlier today. The meeting was really positive, and I loved his attitude.

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) February 13, 2013

The way he is already dealing with this injury lets me know that he is going to come back stronger than ever.

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) February 13, 2013

As soon as he went down, fellow athletes commented on Twitter. It started on Tuesday night after the ugly injury took place:

Definitely keeping @nerlensnoel3 in my prayers. Scary injury tonight hate to see that happen to such a talented kid

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) February 13, 2013

Former UK football player Randall Cobb:

Prayers up for @nerlensnoel3 hope the severity is not critical. Heal up boss! #WeAreUK

— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) February 13, 2013

And then after news of the torn ACL, basketball players from all levels took to Twitter. Marshall Henderson, the gunner for Ole Miss, where Noel had perhaps his best game of the season:

What sucks about noels injury was the fact that he hustled his ass down the court to stop a wide open layup ... #prayfornoel

— marshall henderson (@NativeFlash22) February 13, 2013

The Grizzlies' Tony Allen:

Its been a Tough Month for the wildcats ,(rondo and noel) , I'm praying for those guys to have a speedy recovery!!!

— Tony Allen (@aa000G9) February 13, 2013

Notre Dame women's basketball star Skylar Diggins:

Hope @nerlensnoel3 has a speedy recovery! Never like to see any player get hurt.

— Skylar Diggins (@SkyDigg4) February 13, 2013

Fellow SEC East big man, Sheldon Jeter of Vandy, whose avartar includes an appearance of Noel:

As a college basketball player, its sad to hear about Nerlens Noel's injury!!

— Sheldon Jeter (@LongLive_Jete21) February 13, 2013