Joel Embiid is out indefinitely after being seen in Los Angeles by a spinal specialist, but he will not require surgery.

The doctor confirmed the diagnosis of a stress fracture.

Embiid will miss the Big 12 Tournament and likely the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Bill Self is hopeful that Embiid could return for the later rounds.

Embiid had become the player most general managers would select with the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, ahead of Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker.

"Now it's a three-man race again -- and Embiid might be No. 3 depending on how his back checks out by doctors," said one GM to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.