UCLA center Mata to be out three to six weeks

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA center Lorenzo Mata will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Thursday, a day before the Bruins open practice for the upcoming season.

Mata said he began having pain and swelling in his knee last week, and an MRI was inconclusive. The junior had a small tear of his medial meniscus in the same knee repaired in June.

Coach Ben Howland said Wednesday that it was too soon to know the extent of Mata's injury, although he is projected to be out three to six weeks.

The Bruins open the season Nov. 15 against BYU.

"I'd like to be back for the first game, but I talked to the trainers and that might not be realistic," Mata said.

He averaged 3.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 14 minutes in 21 games last season, when he made eight starts.

Mata's injury was an unpleasant reminder of the injuries UCLA endured last season, when every scholarship player was hurt at one time or another even as the Bruins advanced to the national championship game, where they lost to Florida.

Howland said Mata's injury potentially "becomes a huge concern" for UCLA's low-post game.

"I was counting on him to play a major role this year, and I still am," he said.

Forward Josh Shipp, who was lost for the season in January because of constant pain in his right hip after surgery, will be ready for the start of practice.

A year ago at this time, Shipp was in the early recovery stages from the hip surgery. As a freshman, he averaged 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, which led all Pac-10 newcomers.

Now a sophomore after a redshirt injury season, Shipp provided a glimpse of his potential by scoring in double figures in the four Pac-10 games he played in last season.

"I feel blessed," he said. "A lot of guys don't make it back. I feel like I'm in better shape."