Pruitt to Play Thursday, Barring a Setback
Gabe Pruitt, who missed his fifth consecutive game Saturday because of a broken bone in his left knee, received a doctor’s clearance to resume practicing Monday and play Thursday against Stanford as long as the sophomore guard doesn’t suffer any setbacks.
Pruitt, USC’s second-leading scorer, said he would practice wearing a knee brace but could decide to discard it Thursday when the Trojans play the Cardinal at Maples Pavilion.
“It’s up to me if I want to wear it in a game,” said Pruitt, who has been shooting and working out on his own over the last week in an effort to stay sharp. He has not played since suffering the injury in practice Feb. 6.
Pruitt’s teammates said they were excited about the return of a player who averages 17.0 points and 4.2 rebounds.
“It’s a big boost,” sophomore swingman Nick Young said. “It’s going to release a lot of pressure off me and open up things for the team.”
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The Trojans had plenty of incentive against Oregon State on Saturday in the last scheduled game at the Sports Arena. Not only was it Senior Day for guard Dwayne Shackleford and forward Greg Gaudino, but Coach Tim Floyd turned 52.
“Before the game he was like, ‘Can ya’ll just please win the game for me on my birthday? That would be a perfect birthday present,’ ” junior guard Lodrick Stewart said.
Floyd put Shackleford in the starting lineup for the second time this season and even managed to insert the seldom-used Gaudino for the final six seconds after students chanted, “We want Greg!”
“It was nice to get in,” said Gaudino, who along with Shackleford was presented with a framed jersey in a pregame ceremony. “Last game here, it’s kind of special.”
