For Drew Gordon, it was an injury that sounded scarier than it turned out to be.
The UCLA transfer had surgery Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Gordon had an MRI on Oct. 21, and that’s when the tear was discovered.
“Drew’s surgery went extremely well,” head coach Steve Alford said. “The tear was actually a lot smaller than (doctors) thought. So, we are hoping his rehab stays right on course for the four-to-five week frame.”
Gordon, who is projected to be UNM’s starting center, can’t play for the Lobos until Dec. 17 because of NCAA rules. After transferring at the end of fall 2009, Gordon tweaked his knee during practice Oct. 20.
Though he is on crutches, Gordon said at Wednesday’s practice that he felt better than expected.
“I am glad that we got it out of the way,” he said. “I was real nervous going into it, obviously, since I had the same surgery two and half years ago. Things couldn’t have gone better. I am real happy, and it’s feeling good. It’s swollen, but, for the most part, it’s held together real smooth.”
Just three weeks ago, Gordon was named the Mountain West Conference’s Newcomer of the Year. He said the setback hasn’t altered his season outlook.
With UCLA, Gordon started six games and averaged 11.2 points per game. He also nabbed 5.3 rebounds and averaged 11 minutes of playing time.
Gordon said his game shouldn’t be affected by this latest surgery.
“The doctor told me that it was one of the best cases he could have seen,” he said. “He went in and thought it was about 65 percent destroyed, and I think it was only 20 to 25. So, you know, I was really thankful for that, and they did a really great job on the surgery.”
Considering that Gordon describres himself as an in-your-face post player, the news is as good as it can be.
“I’m a garbage man,” Gordon said. “I like to rebound and block shots. I get into pushing and shoving underneath the basket. I don’t like people pushing me around underneath the basket.”
Now Gordon must complete about a month’s worth of rehab before he can play. Since he has to sit out until Dec. 17 anyway, Gordon said the timing of the injury is a blessing in disguise.
“I just get a chance to sit out and watch the team come together,” he said. “I am going to kind of get coached from the sideline. Once you sit out, you have a new appreciation for the game that you have never really realized that you have had for a while. It’s slowing me down, but I am getting closer to my goal, and that’s playing in December.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
