Drew Gordon, expected to play a major role for the UCLA basketball team this season, suffered a partially torn patellar tendon at the 2009 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo. Gordon, a sophomore from San Jose, Calif., is expected to return to Los Angeles for further examination to determine the extent of the tear. Gordon could miss up to six months, meaning he likely wouldn't return to the Bruins until Pac-10 play begins. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds as a freshman.
Given the graduation of Josh Shipp, Darren Collison and Alfred Aboya and the early departure of Jrue Holiday, the Bruins were depending on Gordon to play a significant role next season.
"It is an unfortunate event, but Drew is a resilient kid and he'll get through it," UCLA coach Ben Howland said on the school's website. "We have a good Athletic Training staff and we will be here to support him."
