Torero Center Barnhard Undergoes Surgery on Back

Brooks Barnhard, a 6-foot-8 sophomore center for the University of San Diego men’s basketball team, underwent surgery Saturday to remove a herniated disc in his lower back. Barnhard is out indefinitely pending his response to rehabilitation, and might miss the entire season.

“Right now we have no plans to bring him back because we don’t feel we would want to push him back too soon,” Coach Hank Egan said. “If we get him back, it would be kind of a bonus. My main concern right now is his well being.”

Barnhard injured his back last month in conditioning. When it didn’t respond to treatment, Dr. William P. Curren, the team doctor, ran a series of tests on Barnhard. Curren and Dr. David Fitz performed the surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Barnhard, a 1989 Times All-County selection while at Escondido High, averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds as a freshman last year. Perhaps his best game came against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. Barnhard had eight points in 19 minutes in an 83-74 Bruin victory.

“Brooks is really a super person,” Egan said. “He was very disappointed because he knows this could be a big year for us, but he understood.”

With Barnhard out, senior Randy Thompson has been moved to an inside spot from the perimeter.