Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Reeves returns for USF

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2001

TAMPA -- Less than one week after arthroscopic surgery to remove cartilage from his right knee, South Florida senior forward Artha Reeves returned to limited practice Monday afternoon and was cleared to play in Wednesday's game at Alabama-Birmingham.

Reeves participated in a pool workout, lifted weights and practiced free throws and jump shots. "It feels good," he said. "Before surgery, I felt like I needed a tuneup. Now it feels brand new. It's a good thing I went in and had the surgery."

Reeves, 23, had surgery Wednesday and was expected to be out 2-3 weeks.

"The trainers and doctors are amazed," he said. "I'm very amazed. I never thought it would be so fast."

His return is expected to be a boost for the Bulls as they head into the final four regular-season games with Conference USA title implications and an NCAA Tournament berth on the line. Since last week, USF has welcomed forward B.B. Waldon back to the lineup and now Reeves, which leaves only senior forward Chonsey Asbury on the sideline. Asbury had knee surgery a few days before Reeves and is rehabilitating.

Reeves' teammates said his quick return is a bonus.

"It will help us out a lot on the inside," redshirt freshman Gerrick Morris said. "We only have like nine or 10 players, and everybody can sometimes get worn down. With Artha back, he's a great player, and he'll make our chances of winning a lot better."

Reeves has played in 20 games and started two. He averages 6.2 points and 4.6 rebounds, but coach Seth Greenberg said his intangibles and senior leadership cannot be measured.

"It's amazing," Greenberg said. "That guy was dunking two days after surgery. He's a freak. The big thing is there has been no swelling ... and he has a full range of motion in his knee."

On the women's team, sophomore forward Lindsey Smith tore a right-knee ligament Sunday against Marquette and will miss the rest of the season. Smith tore a ligament in her left knee last season. Freshman guard Melissa Tape will miss the final two regular-season games after sustaining her second concussion of the season Friday night. USF is down to seven scholarship players.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright