SAN DIEGO SPORTS ET CETERA : Three Sidelined as SDSU Prepares to Start Practice

The San Diego State basketball team will start practice Sunday with three players, including guard Michael Best, on the sideline with injuries.

Best, a senior, is recovering from surgery two weeks ago to remove two screws from his left knee. The screws were inserted during Best’s senior year in high school to repair knee damage.

Best, who averaged 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds last year, is returning after missing the final two weeks last season for medical reasons unrelated to his knee problem.

Also out are guard/forward Nelson Stewart and center Marty Dow. Stewart, a junior transfer from College of Eastern Utah, had arthroscopic surgery two weeks ago on both knees. No damage was found in the right but cartilage was repaired in the left knee, trainer Mark Haines said. Stewart is expected to practice later next week.

Dow, a 7-foot junior transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M;, has a disc ailment and received further treatment Thursday, Haines said. No date has been set for Dow’s return.