UVA Men’s basketball player Lars Mikalauskas to have surgery

By Whitet Reid
Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: April 2, 2008

He played in serious pain all season long. Now it’s time to alleviate it.

Sources have told The Daily Progress that Virginia junior Lars Mikalauskas will undergo surgery on his right shoulder on Friday.

The procedure, the sources said, is rather invasive. Depending on how well his rehabilitation goes, Mikalauskas may not be fully recovered until October.

Mikalauskas’ injury is similar to the one that former teammate Sean Singletary suffered his freshman year.

Mikalauskas’ shoulder has been popping in and out for the last two years. Surgery was considered last summer, but Mikalauskas decided to try and gut it out. The Lithuanian played with a harness that was designed by athletic trainer Jeff Boyer to keep the shoulder in place.

The ambidextrous center (looking a little bit like the Bionic Man) played the first nine games with the ailment, then was forced to the sideline for the next 13 games before returning to action against North Carolina.

In that game, Mikalauskas gave Virginia a huge boost. His energetic play and defense on Tar Heels superstar Tyler Hansbrough almost helped the Wahoos pull off an upset in a 75-74 loss on Feb. 12.

Two games later against Miami, Mikalauskas notched the third double-double of his career with 16 points and 13 rebounds. He finished the regular season by scoring in double figures in four of his last five games.

Mikalauskas’ 15-point, seven rebound effort propelled Virginia to a much-needed road win at Georgia Tech on March 3.

Mikalauskas, who averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game, reestablished himself as a huge crowd favorite.

The fiery, first-pumping big man had a solid freshman year before injuries began to plague him as a sophomore.

With the graduation of center Ryan Pettinella and the up-in-the-air status of Tunji Soroye - who is hoping for a medical redshirt - Mikalauskas’ return to health will be a huge key for Virginia next season.

In addition, Mikalauskas will be just one of two seniors on the roster - the other being guard/forward Mamadi Diane.