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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.