James Keefe will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery next week. The senior forward started 13 of the 20 games in which he has played so far this season, but will not return to close out his UCLA career.
“I’m very disappointed to be ending my senior year early,” Keefe said in a press release. “I would have liked to have been able to come back and finish my final season, but as of now, I’m unable to play and my shoulder hasn’t improved.”
Keefe injured his shoulder earlier this season during a practice on Oct. 19, 2009.
The Rancho Santa Margarita native is averaging 2.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season and is third on the team with 12 blocked shots.
Before the start of the 2007-2008 season, Keefe underwent surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder and sat out the first 12 games of the season. Keefe would return, giving up a chance to redshirt, to help the Bruins to their third-straight Final Four appearance in 2008. Keefe came to UCLA in 2006 as a McDonalds All-American and helped his high school team win a pair of CIF titles.
Compiled by Farzad Mashhood, Bruin Sports senior staff.