July 11, 2005

UCLA freshman Alfred Aboya had a successful right knee arthroscopic procedure late Monday afternoon at the UCLA/Santa Monica Medical Center. The hour-long surgery was performed by Bruin team physician Dr. Gerald Finerman.

Loose bodies (cartilage) were removed from Aboya's right knee. The rehabilitation time is approximately four-to-six weeks, making him ready for the start of practice on Friday, Oct. 14. Aboya has been on campus attending summer school, which started Monday, June 27.

From Yaounde, Cameroon, the 6-8, 242-pound Aboya attended the Tilton, NH Prep Academy. Last season as a senior, Aboya led Tilton to its second consecutive New Hampshire Class B State Championship appearance and an 18-11 record. Averaging 18.0 points and 12.0 rebounds a game, Aboya is the Rivals.com No. 20 power forward in the U. S. and overall, Hoopmaster.com No. 81 and Rivals.com No. 83 player in the U. S. As a junior in 2003-04, he led Tilton to the New Hampshire Class B State title and averaged 22.0 points and 12.0 rebounds a game. "When Alfred arrived on campus for the start of summer school, he also began working out and playing in games," Bruin head coach Ben Howland said. "It became apparent that his right knee was giving him trouble (swelling). Our medical staff then determined that Alfred needed the exploratory arthrosopic procedure. We wanted to have it done now, so Alfred would be ready for the start of practice (Oct. 14)."

Aboya is one of five new incoming Bruin freshmen, all considered last season to be among the top 100 prep standouts in North America. Joining Aboya are - 6-0, 155-pound point guard Darren Collison (Etiwanda HS/Rancho Cucamonga, CA); 6-7, 215-pound forward/guard Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Montverde Academy/Montverde, FL), who is also from Cameroon; 6-5, 205-pound guard/forward Michael Roll (Aliso Niguel HS/Aliso Viejo, CA) and 6-8 230-pound forward Ryan Wright (Loyola Catholic HS/Mississauga, Ontario, Canada).