McKnight Has Tumor Removed From His Chest

Gary McKnight, the basketball coach at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, was in stable condition Tuesday after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in his chest.

Surgeon Shigeru Chino said tests made before the operation at Mission Viejo Hospital Regional Medical Center indicated the tumor was malignant, but final test results had not been completed. McKnight, 43, is expected to stay in the hospital five to seven days.

“The hopes for Gary’s recovery are very positive,” said Mater Dei Principal Pat Murphy, who was asked to be the family spokesman. “We’re praying that the surgery is successful. We believe it will be. There are lot of people behind Gary, praying for his recovery.”

Chino said McKnight underwent tests last week and that chest X-rays showed a tumor in the muscle tissue near the lungs. McKnight, who has diabetes, had not been feeling well for several weeks, according to friends.