Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UNLV BASKETBALL:

Kansas transfer Thomas out 6 months following shoulder surgery

6-foot-8 forward hopes to start rehab this week following labrum repair

Quintrell Thomas

AP PHOTO

Kansas’ Quintrell Thomas (11) gets past UMKC’s James Humphrey (1) and Latreze Mushatt (4) to put up a shot during the first half on Nov. 16, 2008, in Lawrence, Kan. Thomas announced his intent to transfer to UNLV on May 22, 2009.

Updated Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 | 5:24 p.m.

As it turns out, the upcoming redshirt year for UNLV sophomore forward Quintrell Thomas — who transferred from Kansas following last season — will prove quite valuable.

Thomas, a 6-foot-8 New Jersey native, will be shelved for roughly the next six months following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

UNLV coach said that the shoulder has caused Thomas issues for awhile, popping out of place here and there during workouts and pick-up games.

"It was a case where he's OK with it, OK with it, it slips out. Then it's OK for awhile and it slips out," Kruger said. "It's just something that needs to be done for him long-term, and he's got time now."

The surgery was performed on July 31, and after a follow-up visit on Wednesday, barring any complications, Thomas will begin rehab immediately.

Thomas, ranked as the No. 149 prospect in the 2008 class by Rivals.com, averaged 1.5 points and 2 rebounds per contest in limited duty last season for the Jayhawks.

He figures to play a key role for the Rebels beginning in the 2010-11 season, when he'll play for Lon Kruger with three years of eligibility remaining.

Hawkins also on the mend

Freshman guard Justin Hawkins is also recovering from surgery. The Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft High product took a shot to his nose a few weeks back while going up for a rebound in a pick-up game, and is currently at home during the break between summer school and the first day of fall classes healing up.

He is not expected to miss any time once the school year begins.

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