Josh Shipp Out For Season

By Bruin Basketball Report

Josh Shipp will miss the remainder of the 2005-06 season after deciding the pain in his hip was unmanageable and will apply for a medical red-shirt this year. It was announced today at UCLA's weekly press conference.

The sophomore forward injured himself in a summer game and had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to repair a torn labrum (cartilage) and remove a bone spur on September 28.

He returned to the Bruin line-up on December 29 scoring 11 points in a Pac-10 opener victory over Stanford.

In four games this year, Shipp was averaging 11.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg but more importantly he provided the Bruins with an effective third offensive option.

The season-ending injury to Shipp compounds the Bruin's roster problems since the team already lost senior Cedric Bozeman to a shoulder injury two weeks ago.

It is uncertain at this time whether Bozeman will even return this year - a decision on his return will be made within the next 2-3 weeks based upon his rehabilatation progress.

Without Shipp and Bozeman, the Bruins may play more of a three guard line-up with Darren Collison, Michael Roll, and Janou Rubin logging more minutes.

Another option would be Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (he was recruited as a wing player) sliding down to the three spot at times with Alfred Aboya playing more minutes at the power forward position.

Nonetheless, this is a huge blow to a nice young man and player. Best wishes to Josh Shipp on a complete healthy recovery!

(BruinBasketballReport.com)

(photo credit: uclabruins.collegesports.com)