UC Santa Barbara forward Jesse Byrd will not play his senior season with the Gauchos because of a reoccurrence of an injury to his left knee, head coach Bob Williams announced Friday.
Byrd first suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee in the closing minutes of a game at San Diego State on Dec. 21, 2008. He sat out nearly six weeks after having surgery, returning to action in late January. During the spring, Byrd began experiencing more pain and ultimately he was forced to have a second procedure on the knee. Consultation with doctors resulted a season-long rehabilitation program to ensure long-term stability of the injured knee. The decision effectively ends Byrd’s basketball career.
“We fully support Jesse’s decision,” Williams said. “We’re saddened by the loss of a team-leader, both on and off the floor, but Jesse’s long-term health is also our top priority. He will continue to be involved in the athletics department and with men’s basketball throughout the 2009-10 season.”
Byrd will remain on scholarship and is expected to graduate in June of 2010.
While Byrd’s loss will hurt the Gauchos, the blow will be softened by the addition of transfers Orlando Johnson (Loyola Marymount) and Jon Pastorek (San Diego State) and the return of point guard Justin Joyner. Additionally, UCSB will return eight major contributors from the 2008-09 team and add a pair of talented freshmen.
Byrd’s knee injury ends UCSB hoops career
October 9, 2009 by
