‘Minor’ Heart Ailment Puts Nets’ Coleman on Sideline

Derrick Coleman has a “minor heartbeat irregularity,” and the New Jersey Nets’ star will sit out at least the first five games of the season.

The team said Monday the 28-year-old forward will be on medication for several weeks but will be permitted to run and ride a stationary bike.

The ailment had not been previously detected in Coleman, who is beginning his sixth season in the NBA.

Team spokesman John Mertz said the exact diagnosis was not available, and league policy bars release of the medication Coleman will be taking.

The problem was detected by the Nets’ medical staff when training camp began earlier this month, but Coleman was cleared to practice. After a week, he was tested again and sent to specialists, who agreed with the diagnosis.

The team said Coleman will be tested again after two weeks and and could resume full workouts two weeks after that. The season begins Nov. 3.

“We’re just going to make sure everything is working,” Mertz said.

Over the summer, Coleman asked the Nets to trade him, but he reported for training camp on time early this month and refused to discuss the issue.

He missed 26 of the team’s 82 games last season because of assorted injuries. Nevertheless, he led the Nets by averaging 20.5 points and 10.6 rebounds a game. The Nets missed the playoffs by five games.

“As always, our first concern is with Derrick’s health,” General Manager Willis Reed Reed said. “The club will work with Derrick in his treatment and looks forward to having him back on the court.”

Coleman is in the second year of a five-year, $37.5-million contract. The Syracuse star was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft.