Philly Sports Jabronis
Report By Philadelphia 76ers
After putting together a stellar 2013-14 campaign, Michael Carter-Williams was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year at a ceremony at the Sixers’ practice facility on May 5. One day later, he underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.
“The health of our players is our primary concern,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Hinkie said at the time in a statement. “There were a number of healthy discussions between Michael, our medical team, several medical specialists and Michael’s representatives. After careful consideration and thoughtful research, we collectively agreed that it was in Michael’s best interest to move forward with the procedure now and allow for maximum recovery time.”
In the five months since, the 6’6” point guard has steadily worked his way back towards full health. When training camp opened on September 30, Carter-Williams assumed a skeleton role, going through non-contact and shooting drills during practices but being held out of live scrimmaging.
MCW has not yet been cleared to practice and there’s no timetable for his return from offseason surgery. Photo credit – TheLotteryMafia.com
The 23-year-old told reporters on Tuesday that he’s feeling better, but that he has yet to be cleared to practice fully with the team.
“I wish I was [able to scrimmage], but that’s doctors’ orders, so I have to listen to what they say and come back 100%,” he said. “I’m plenty ahead of schedule, and I feel great.”
On Tuesday, the Sixers travel to Carter-Williams alma mater, Syracuse, for a neutral-site game against the New York Knicks. The second-year point guard wishes he could suit up in his first game at the Carrier Dome since his days with the Orange, but is excited just to have the opportunity to make the trip.
“I can’t wait to go back there and see everybody, all the fans that are still there. It’ll be nice to be home,” he said.
There is still no set date for Carter-Williams’ return.
MCW On ‘Cuse And Coach Boeheim
Carter-Williams spent two years playing for head coach Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, earning All-Big East Second-Team honors as a sophomore before declaring for the NBA Draft in 2013. The Hamilton, Massachusetts native says it was at Syracuse that he learned how to become a professional.
“At Syracuse, I had to learn to become a man and take responsibility for myself on and off the court,” he said. “[Coach Boeheim] definitely built that [in me], and he definitely builds it within his players.
“A lot of people think he’s quiet and grumpy. He may have the grumpy look, but he’s not that grumpy, and he’s not that quiet either.”
