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Hollins

Junior center Ryan Hollins of the men’s basketball team underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last Tuesday and is expected to fully recover by the time UCLA begins fall practice on Oct. 16.

The knee began bothering Hollins during the spring, but the injury was not caused by any specific incident.

“It crept up on me,” Hollins said. “It started swelling up, but nothing big. The little things kept nagging me.”

Hollins initially rested on the knee for much of June, but after an MRI revealed nothing wrong, he began working out again to prepare for the tryouts of the USA Basketball World Championship for Young Men that took place last week in New Jersey.

He had participated on the 2003 USA Junior World Team and was looking forward to another opportunity this year. However, the right knee began giving him pain and continued to swell up, forcing him to forgo the tryouts and undergo the surgery.

“I’m very disappointed,” Hollins said of missing the training camp. “I had a good experience last year playing for my country, and I got great exposure from it.” The diagnostic procedure removed two loose bodies of cartilage and revealed that the joints and ligaments were still healthy and intact.

Hollins was on crutches last week, but is beginning rehabilitation and will be ready to start practicing again in four to six weeks.

“It’ll take up to the season before I’ll be back to where I want and be ready to go,” Hollins said.

Last year, Hollins emerged as the Bruin’s starting center halfway through the season, leading the team in blocked shots and finishing third in rebounds per game. He is expected to help anchor the front line this year.

“I can’t wait for the season to get here,” Hollins said. “We have a great team and I’m anticipating big things.”

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