It’s been quite some time since Cedric Bozeman stepped
onto the court for an official UCLA basketball practice. In fact,
the last time he did, on Nov. 4, 2004, he tore the ACL in his left
knee. But after almost a year’s worth of rehabilitation and
frustration resulting from that injury, Bozeman is ready, eager,
and most of all, impatient to return to the court this Friday for
the first day of practice for UCLA. “It feels so great, I
can’t even talk about it,” Bozeman said. “A year
away from basketball was really tough for me. It’s been quite
a while. I’m just happy to be back.” Although he says
that he’s probably close to around 85 percent full strength,
Bozeman doesn’t anticipate there being any physical
limitations upon returning to the court. What role he’ll play
once there, however, is still up in the air. Bozeman, a three-year
starter at point guard before the 2004 season, is preparing himself
to play several positions. With returning starter Josh Shipp
expected to be out for a good portion of the beginning of the
season recovering from hip surgery, it appears the 6-foot-6 Bozeman
would be a natural replacement. But the senior said he also expects
to see time at point guard when sophomore Jordan Farmar is not on
the floor. “I haven’t really specifically talked about
my role, but I know what I’m supposed to do,” Bozeman
said. “Come in and play defense, and be able to play
different spots. “It won’t be too much of an
adjustment. Last year before I got hurt, I was doing the same thing
with Jordan playing point, and I was playing my best ball.”
In 2003, Bozeman’s last healthy season, the senior averaged
7.5 points and a team-leading 5.5 assists and 33.6 minutes per
game.
AFTERNOON MADNESS: The men’s and
women’s basketball teams will hold a special event on Oct. 26
at 5 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion that is only open for students to
watch. The men’s team will scrimmage, hold a slam-dunk
contest, and compete in a 3-point shootout, which will be followed
by a women’s team scrimmage. Following the event, coaches Ben
Howland and Kathy Olivier will address the students.
SURGERY PART DEUX: Freshman Alfred Aboya
underwent a successful left-knee arthroscopic procedure on
Wednesday at UCLA to repair a tear of the lateral meniscus. Aboya
said he felt discomfort this week during preliminary workouts,
prompting an MRI that revealed cartilage damage in the left knee.
Wednesday’s operation was Aboya’s second surgery in the
last three months. On July 11, surgery was performed on Aboya to
remove loose cartilage from his right knee. The estimated recovery
time from this latest surgery is four weeks. INJURY UPDATE:
Sophomore forward Josh Shipp is still on crutches after undergoing
an outpatient arthroscopic right hip procedure on Sept. 28. Shipp
said that he doesn’t feel any lingering pain and expects to
be back in eight weeks, putting his return sometime around the
Wooden Classic on Dec. 10. … Senior center Michael Fey severely
pulled his groin while lifting weights and expects to fully recover
in 2-3 weeks. … Freshman Luc Richard Mbah A Moute was diagnosed
with a sprained right shoulder last week. His recovery is
day-to-day.