BURN THE HORSE
UALR junior Will Neighbour tells Burn The Horse he is going to have surgery on his injured shoulder but that he should be ready for the 2012-2013 season.Neighbour injured the shoulder Dec. 31 at Denver and was able to play through pain most of the season. It will take about three months for him to get to the point where he can begin to do basketball-related workouts.
It's a big sacrifice for Neighbour, who was invited to Great Britain's Olympic team tryout camp in Houston. While Neighbour was likely a longshot to make the final roster, the opportunity to showcase his talent in front of the national team coaches would have been valuable. Neighbour had hoped to strengthen the shoulder enough to get an opportunity at training camp. Had he further postponed the surgery it would have jeopardized his ability to play for UALR next season. Neighbour has already used a medical redshirt year and there would be no guarantee the NCAA would grant him a sixth year of eligibility.
It might also be his last chance at the Olympics. Great Britain qualified this year because London is the host city. They will be a major longshot to make the Olympics four or eight years from now.
Neighbour had a similar injury and surgery on the other shoulder before his original sophomore season at Daytona State College.
