Surgery May Sideline UCLA’s Shipp

UCLA’s basketball team could be without sophomore Josh Shipp for at least the first month of the season if the small forward decides to have hip surgery.

Shipp, one of four returning starters from last season’s NCAA tournament team, injured his hip this summer and a recent MRI test revealed a cartilage tear.

He was scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery at UCLA Medical Center today but that was postponed on Thursday.

“After further consultation, Josh’s family wanted to get a second opinion regarding this procedure,” UCLA Coach Ben Howland said in a statement. “This is a common practice and the family felt this was best.”

Shipp would be expected to be sidelined eight to 12 weeks if he has the surgery.

Shipp, younger brother of former California forward Joe Shipp, averaged 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds last season. The former Fairfax High standout played 27.9 minutes per game and started 23 of the Bruins’ final 24 games, earning honorable mention All-Pacific 10 Conference honors.

Three players are expected to compete for Shipp’s starting small forward position if he is sidelined, including Cedric Bozeman, a 6-foot-7 senior who missed all of last season because of a knee injury; Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, a 6-7 freshman from Cameroon who attended Montverde Florida Academy last season; and Michael Roll, a 6-5 freshman from Aliso Niguel High.

UCLA, which starts practice Oct. 14, finished 18-11, tied for third place in the Pacific 10 Conference last season.

-- Lonnie White