Decision on Playing Up to Camby

Center Marcus Camby had a light workout Monday and will make a last-minute decision about whether he is ready to play for No. 1 Massachusetts Tuesday night, coach John Calipari said.

The Minutemen (16-0) play a non-conference game at Pittsburgh. Calipari said Camby probably won’t make his decision until just before the game starts at 9 p.m.

The 6-foot-11, 220-pound junior missed three games after he fainting before a Jan. 14 game against St. Bonaventure.

“He can play,” Calipari said. “It’s just a matter of whether he wants to play and feels comfortable playing.

“He’s been on his back for five days. I just don’t think he’s in the kind of shape to be playing a lot of minutes. I’d rather he didn’t play, but I’m not going to hold him back.”

Camby was cleared last Thursday by doctors and rejoined the team in Pittsburgh Saturday. Monday evening’s practice at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House was Camby’s first action since he fainted.

He did not participate in full-court, five-on-five drills, instead doing some light running and shooting on his own. He declined to be interviewed, but Calipari said it was obvious to him that Camby is anxious to get back.

Calipari said he was not leery about allowing Camby back in the lineup. Doctors have not said what caused the fainting spell.

“You have to understand I was there for every step and every test,” Calipari said. “I probably learned more medical terminology in the last week than I’d heard in my life. I feel very comfortable. I know what it’s not and that’s just as important as what it is.”

The Minutemen won three games without Camby.