July 2, 2001

By STEVE BAILEY
AP Sports Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – University of Kentucky forward Jason Parker underwentnearly two hours of reconstructive surgery on Monday to replace the anteriorcruciate ligament in his right knee and repair two small tears in the cartilagebelow the kneecap.

Parker, a 6-foot-8, 255-pound forward who started all 34 games for Kentuckylast season, tore the ligament during a pickup basketball game at UK’s SeatonCenter on June 24.

After the surgery, performed with tissue from a cadaver, doctors said Parkerfaces months of rehabilitation but still could play basketball next season.

“The principal rehabilitation will take four to six months and will includea combination of physical therapy and athletic training,” Dr. David Cabornsaid.

“It’s possible he could play (following the rehabilitation period), butit’s really difficult to say because there are so many variables. Ultimately,what will be done will be in Jason’s best interest and to make sure he is notat high risk of re-injury.”

Both the injury and the surgery were similar to those experienced by formerKentucky star and current San Antonio Spurs forward Derek Anderson during the1996-97 season, Caborn said.

Caborn said Parker was in good spirits after the surgery and began immediatephysical therapy with quadriceps activation, full extension and continuouspassive motion while still in the recovery room. He was discharged from thehospital in good condition after the procedure.

“He’s been a healthy athlete and has never had any kind of serious injurybefore,” Caborn said. “I think Jason will probably push himself, and I knowthat from seeing him during this past week of rehabilitation. He workedincredibly hard.”

Parker, a Charlotte, N.C., native, averaged 8.6 points and 4.7 reboundsduring his first season in a Wildcat uniform and was named to the 2001All-Southeastern Conference freshman team. In Kentucky’s last game against USC,Parker tallied a career-high 22 points and 13 rebounds.