May To Have Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Charlotte Bobcats forward Sean May will miss the entire 2007-08 season after an exploratory procedure and several evaluations on his right knee revealed that he will need microfracture surgery.

Drafted by Charlotte with the 13th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft after leaving the University of North Carolina as an early-entry candidate, May has appeared in 58 games for the Bobcats during his first two seasons and averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. He missed 41 games last season and the final 56 games of the 2005-06 season.

“Sean has dedicated himself to taking every available route to get back on the court,” Team Physician Dr. Glenn Perry said. “We are hopeful that this procedure will allow him to resume his career and be the player that he wants to be.”

Dr. David W. Altchek will perform the microfracture procedure on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Sports Medicine and Shoulder facility at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York City. May is expected to be on crutches for up to eight weeks. Full recovery likely will take six to 12 months, according to previously performed procedures such as this.

“Obviously this is a terrible blow for our basketball team and another setback for Sean,” Bobcats Head Coach Sam Vincent said. “Sean has worked extremely hard to get back on the court this season, which is testimony to his off-season regimen and professionalism, but at this time, we want what’s best for him and unfortunately that requires surgery.”

source : NBA.com