Air Force basketball star Nick Welch might miss the upcoming season.
A co-player of the year in the Mountain West Conference as a sophomore, the 6-foot-8 senior center from Fort Worth, Texas, is recovering from surgeries on his left ankle and foot.
When the second surgery was performed three weeks ago to repair a detached tendon, coach Jeff Bzdelik and the AFA medical department said the best scenario would put Welch back on the court by late December. Now it’s not at all certain Welch will play this season. He didn’t comment.
“It’s probably going to take more time than what we expected,” Bzdelik said.
Bzdelik said a final decision on Welch’s status will be determined after the next medical update in about two weeks. If the recovery from the surgery prohibits Welch from completing his academic and military work at the academy, he could be allowed to drop out of school this semester, return to classes in January and then complete his college eligibility in the 2006-07 season.
“We’re anxiously awaiting the next update,” said Bzdelik, a former Nuggets coach. “All options for Nick’s well-being will be explored. We’re not going to do anything to jeopardize his future as a basketball player and military officer.”
