Injuries in sports are just part of the game. They happen all the time with varying degrees of severity. All athletes accept this risk when they go into action, and, unfortunately, some players fight a constant battle against it during their entire careers.
Perhaps the most promising college basketball player to be plagued by injury in recent memory is Villanova's Curtis Sumpter. The 6'7" Sumpter, a senior forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., tore the ACL in his left knee twice between March and October of last season, forcing him to miss the end of the Wildcats' 2005 NCAA Tournament run and their entire 2005-06 campaign as well.
Sumpter was part of coach Jay Wright's first star-studded recruiting class that included guards Randy Foye and Allan Ray and center Jason Fraser, a group that helped reestablish the Wildcats as a force in the extremely competitive Big East Conference. Sumpter was supposed to be the Wildcats' best player and NBA prospect when he arrived on campus with Ray, Foye and Fraser. After getting acquainted in his first year in Philly, he exploded onto the scene in 2003-04 and followed up with an even better junior season. He averaged 15 points and seven boards a game while shooting nearly 47 percent from the field, including 43 percent from three-point range, the one major weakness in his game during his first two seasons.
Things looked sunny for Sumpter and the Wildcats as they went against Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament until Sumpter tore the ligament with eight minutes remaining in the first half. While Villanova went on to defeat the Gators, they fought valiantly before losing by a single point in the Sweet Sixteen to North Carolina, which went on to win the national championship. While 'Nova could have used Sumpter then, he was focused on returning to the court for the 2005-06 season.
An ACL tear can immediately jeopardize the career of an athlete. Treatment of the injury requires at least six months of serious physical therapy following surgery to restore the strength necessary for the ligament to withstand the rigors of serious athletics. He underwent the first knee surgery in April and immediately began an intense rehab program to prepare himself for the upcoming season.
Sumpter worked hard in rehab and was cleared to return to practice in October. He was the Wildcats' best inside presence and the centerpiece of a team that had Final Four aspirations. However, less than two weeks after returning to practice, he landed awkwardly on the knee and, despite wearing a brace, re-injured the ACL. It forced Wright to switch to a four-guard lineup that, while bringing Villanova much success, struggled against Florida's big men, and led to defeat in the Elite Eight.
Sumpter again underwent surgery and went through a strenuous rehab program. Near the end of February, he appeared close to being ready to return to the court and faced a huge decision. He had the option of coming back for the NCAA Tournament to finish his career with Ray, Foye and Fraser in their quest to win a national championship. Alternatively, he could red shirt to preserve his final year of eligibility. After several evaluations by doctors as well as consulting with Wright and his family, he ultimately opted to wait until this season to return to action.
Sumpter's prudent decision was a huge boon for a program that is rebuilding following the loss of Ray, Foye, Fraser and guard Kyle Lowry. He is the undisputed leader of a team that is talented but relatively inexperienced. Sumpter will be looking to lead this group back to the NCAA Tournament and regain the form that had his coaches, teammates, opponents, and NBA scouts equally impressed.
Whether he regains the agility and explosiveness in his left knee remains to be seen. However, with a full year to recover, it is much more likely that Sumpter will be healthy and perhaps able to realize his potential.
The Wildcats will be hoping he does exactly that and more.
