UT planning to redshirt Maymon

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee plans to redshirt senior forward Jeronne Maymon, who hasn’t played all season after having a setback in his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Maymon, a second-team all-Southeastern Conference selection last season, will have one more year of eligibility remaining.
“It’s really tough to know that I can’t be on the court with my teammates this season,” Maymon said Sunday night in a statement released by the university. “But I have confidence in them, just like I have confidence in these coaches and our medical staff. I know this is in my best interest, and I am going to work incredibly hard to come back as an even better player and teammate next season. I love Tennessee. I believe everything happens for a reason, and I see this injury as a blessing in disguise. God does not make mistakes.”
Tennessee (8-4) hosts Mississippi on Wednesday in its SEC opener.
When the Volunteers announced before the season that Maymon had a setback in his recovery, Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin said the injury wouldn’t keep the 6-foot-7 forward out the entire season.
But the injury lingered to the point that the Vols eventually decided a redshirt was the best option.
After playing sparingly during the Vols’ tour of Italy this summer, Maymon hasn’t practiced with the team since his setback.
Maymon averaged 12.7 points and ranked fifth in the SEC with 8.1 rebounds per game last season while serving as the Vols’ emotional leader.  He ranked second on the Vols in scoring and led the team in rebounding, field-goal percentage (.558) and steals (1.0). Maymon also was fourth in the SEC with nine double-doubles.
The combination of Maymon and sophomore Jarnell Stokes figured to give Tennessee a formidable frontcourt tandem. Before the season, Maymon talked about trying to help give the Vols the nation’s top frontcourt.
Without Maymon in the lineup, Tennessee has struggled on offense. The Vols are averaging 64.5 points per game and are shooting 42.4 percent this year, down from 68.8 points per game and 43.8 percent last season.

Published in The Messenger 1.9.13

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