Explorers' backup big man Zack cleared to play
Sidelined with a sprained ligament in his left foot, sophomore not sure yet how much he can contribute.
LOS ANGELES - La Salle coach John Giannini compared it to Selection Sunday. There were 20 minutes left in the show before La Salle's name popped up on the board. There were 20 minutes left in the team's Wednesday afternoon shootaround at Staples Center when the coach got word that backup big man Steve Zack had been cleared to play.
"It was totally unexpected," Giannini said. "It was almost like Selection Sunday. You've got 20 minutes left in your last practice before the Sweet 16, and your trainer comes and says he's cleared. I felt better about our Selection Sunday chances than I did with Steve."
It was a complete surprise to the coach and just about everybody else. Zack was not on the court until, suddenly, he was. The boot the sophomore had been wearing on his left foot since spraining a ligament on March 2 came off.
He started jogging. Then, he jumped into a few drills. Then, he went up and dunked - hard. So, will he play Thursday night in the Sweet 16 against Wichita State? And, if he plays, will be able to help after not putting any pressure on that foot for 3 weeks?
"If I can give them a 1- or 2-minute stretch while Jerrell Wright catches his breath, I'd be all for that," Zack said. "I think I could do that, but we'll have to see Thursday."
There is no ligament tear, but the concern was that the injury could lead to a tear and possible surgery. So, he rested. The dunk, he said "felt great." Zack has no pain, but said his foot is just "weak" because he has not put any weight on it.
He was very happy to be rid of the heavy boot. He got an MRI after the injury and weekly X-rays since then. He got an X-ray and an examination Wednesday by a doctor on site.
The doctor then consulted with Dr. Brian Brislin at Holy Redeemer, who has been treating Zack.
"Zack hasn't done much at all for 3 weeks," La Salle trainer Bill Gerzabek said. They wanted to make sure it did not get any worse. "We're out of the danger zone," Gerzabek said. How Zack feels ultimately will determine how much the coach uses him, if at all. Obviously, his conditioning won't be there. "If he has any pain, he's out," Gerzabek said. "The pain and swelling is going to determine whether he can continue on." Coach and player will talk. A decision will be made. "We'll see how he feels in the morning," Giannini said.
