So much for the concept that Kevon Looney was a draft-night steal who would pay immediate dividends. Now, he becomes a delicate project for the Warriors.
The rookie forward from UCLA will be out “a minimum of four to six months,” according to the team, after undergoing surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.
It’s the very issue that scared away several NBA teams, allowing Looney to slip to Golden State at No. 30. The Warriors likely will wait until next summer before getting a healthy glimpse of Looney in basketball-activity mode.
“Kevon has his entire NBA career ahead of him, and we felt that, in consultation with our medical staff, Kevon and his representatives, it was best to address the issue now,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said. “He will have our complete support throughout the rehabilitation process and we are confident he will make a full recovery.”
In his lone college season, Looney posted averages of 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds over 36 games, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors. In six games in the NBA Summer League, Looney averaged 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in 19.7 minutes for the Warriors.Bob MyersGolden State WarriorsKevon LooneyNBAUCLA
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