Injuries plague pre-season practice

As the UCLA men’s basketball season approaches, the team
has been struck by the injury bug. The most recent victims have
been star sophomore guards Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo, while
two other starters from last year continue to be held out of
practice. Farmar strained his groin in practice on Oct. 27 and will
be re-evaluated today. Farmar has not practiced since he was hurt.
Afflalo, meanwhile, suffered a left quadricep contusion in practice
last Saturday and is day-to-day. He is not expected to return to
practice for at least a couple of days. Farmar and Afflalo, the
team’s top two returning scorers from last season, are not
expected to miss any game action at this time. Freshman forward
Alfred Aboya is also recovering from a left knee arthroscopic
procedure that he had done on Oct. 12. Aboya was cleared for
non-contact workouts this Monday and is hoping to return to
full-contact practice next Monday. Senior center Michael Fey
continues to remain out of practice with a severe groin strain that
he suffered in mid-October. He is not expected back on the court
for another one to two weeks at minimum. Sophomore small forward
Josh Shipp came off of crutches for the first time in over a month
last Wednesday, but is still seven to eight weeks away from
playing. Shipp hurt his right hip in a summer league game and also
had an arthroscopic procedure. Redshirt freshman guard Joey Ellis
will be out for close to twelve weeks after going through a
procedure on his left knee. Freshman guard/forward Luc Richard Mbah
a Moute was also hurt in mid-October, but resumed practicing
full-time on Oct. 22.

RUBIN WAITS: Janou Rubin’s quest for a
sixth year of eligibility remains on hold. Rubin missed the final
19 games of last season with a left knee injury. As of this week,
Rubin’s status for 2005-06 is still undecided. Rubin has been
practicing with the team since Oct. 14 and will continue to
practice with the team as he awaits a decision.

NEW TRAINING SPONSOR: Advantage Fitness
Products (AFP), a leading provider of innovative fitness and
wellness based solutions to commercial markets and consumers,
announced today its status as an official sponsor and training
equipment and facility consultant to UCLA Athletics. In this role,
AFP will handle comprehensive consultation to UCLA Athletics across
a wide spectrum of areas including equipment selection, supply, and
ongoing support. In addition, AFP announced the development of the
“Advantage Athlete of the Month Program”, through which
a UCLA athlete will be recognized by AFP and the University each
month for exemplary performance on the playing field. The
“Advantage Athlete of the Month” will be honored with a
plaque located in the UCLA athletic weight room, and may receive a
package of AFP provided training products. “By providing
UCLA’s Strength & Conditioning Program the most
innovative and effective training equipment available, we can
expect our 850-plus student athletes to be fully prepared both
mentally and physically to successfully compete at the highest
levels of collegiate athletics,” said Dr. E.J. Kreis, head
strength and conditioning coach for UCLA. “AFP mirrors
UCLA’s commitment to excellence academically and
athletically, through its leadership in offering unparalleled
expertise to world class training facilities.”

SOFTBALL SEEKS MANAGER: UCLA Softball is
looking to hire a student manager for the upcoming 2006 season. For
more information on this paid position, please contact assistant
coach Kelly Inouye-Perez at 310-206-7349.

Compiled by Ben Azar, Bruin Sports senior staff.

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