Updated at 7:29 p.m.
Redshirt senior forward Cedric Bozeman is out for at least two
games ““ including tonight’s game against Stanford
““ after an MRI revealed he suffered a cartilage tear in his
left shoulder.
It is unclear how long Bozeman, who has averaged 10.3 points and
four rebounds per game for the Bruins this season, will be out. He
was scheduled to undergo another examination this afternoon.
Bozeman was injured on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he complained his
shoulder was still hurting. He did not practice, instead receiving
an MRI.
UCLA men’s basketball coach Ben Howland was informed of the
cartilage tear this morning.
Bozeman has had to undergo surgery on three separate occasions
since he arrived at UCLA as a freshman. Most recently, he underwent
surgery to repair an ACL tear in his right knee that sidelined him
for the entire 2004-2005 season.
If Bozeman does have to sit out this season, it is unclear how
his eligibility to play next season would be affected.
Bozeman joins the list of Bruin players who have had to miss
games because of injuries. Though the season is only 11 games old,
Jordan Farmar, Michael Fey, Ryan Hollins, Josh Shipp, Lorenzo Mata
and Alfred Aboya have all had to miss playing time, though many of
them are back on the court.
Fey (ankle) and Hollins (groin) are also not playing in
tonight’s game, the Pac-10 opener.
Check the Web site later tonight for coverage of the
Stanford game and an update on the Bruins’ injuries.