Reno, Nev. The University of Nevada men's basketball team was dealt a blow Monday when first-year head coach Mark Fox announced that guard Marcelus Kemp will miss the entire 2004-2005 season after the sophomore tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
Kemp, who played in all 34 games and averaged 4.6 points per game last season for the Wolf Pack, injured the knee last week. Kemp red shirted in 2002-03 while recovering from a broken foot. The Athletics Department, along with Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Chris Exline, will apply for a sixth year of eligibility exception for the Seattle, Wash. native.
"Injuries are part of the game and we will be forced to adjust," said Fox. "Our primary concern now is for Marcelus. I feel absolutely terrible for him."
With Kemp's loss, Nevada enters the upcoming season with three returning perimeter players in senior Jermaine Washington, sophomore Kyle Shiloh and sophomore Seth Taylor. Amongst the three, Washington is the only player with any type of starting experience. He started two games last year against Pacific and Weber State, but saw action in all 34 games.
Kevyn Green (6-4, 195), who enrolled in the spring, is joined by newcomers Lyndale Burleson (6-3, 185) and Ramon Sessions (6-3, 190). All three along with the returners will have the opportunity to compete for the perimeter positions when practice begins October 16.