UCLA Freshman Zimmerman to Have Minor Knee Surgery

Freshman basketball player Rodney Zimmerman of UCLA is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday at the UCLA Medical Center, it was announced Wednesday.

In a statement, Coach Jim Harrick said he hopes that Zimmerman, a 6-foot-9 center from Colorado Springs, Colo., will be out of practice for no longer than three weeks. That would allow him to return for UCLA’s opener against UC Irvine in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout on Nov. 23 at Anchorage.

However, trainer Tony Spino said Zimmerman could face major surgery, which would probably put him out for the season.

In the absence of Ed O’Bannon, another highly regarded freshman who suffered a season-ending knee injury last month, Zimmerman is being counted on to play for the Bruins this season after averaging 25 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots a game last season at Air Academy High School.

Zimmerman’s knee locked on him twice last month, initially during a drill on the first day of practice Oct. 15.

His injury leaves the Bruins with only nine scholarship players for their annual intrasquad game tonight at 7:30 in Pauley Pavilion. Harrick has four walk-on players.