Louisville freshman center has heart surgery

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville freshman basketball player Clarence Holloway had open-heart surgery Saturday morning to repair a wall of his aorta and his aortic valve.

Holloway, a 7-foot-1 center from Chicago, underwent the surgery at Jewish Hospital in Louisville after a physical Friday found the heart condition, university officials said.

Holloway is enrolled at Louisville, but has not been working out with the Cardinals while he awaits initial eligibility approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse. He will be sidelined for the entire 2007-08 season, but doctors said he will be able to return to the court in time.

"We're so pleased that Clarence came out of his surgery well and so thankful that we have the exemplary medical care that basically saved this young man's life," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said in a written statement.

Holloway played last season in prep school for the Chicago Boys to Men Math and English Academy. Following his senior year at Chicago's Harlan High School, Holloway spent time at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and was an early entry candidate for the 2006 NBA Draft before removing his name from consideration.