North Carolina F Zeller likely out for season

Nov 20, 2008 - 2:09 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- North Carolina announced Wednesday that freshman forward Tyler Zeller underwent surgery for a fractured left wrist and likely will miss the rest of the season.

Dr. Don Bynum performed the procedure at UNC Hospitals and Zeller is expected to make a full recovery after breaking both the left radius and ulna. Recovery time is expected to be three to four months.

The freshman suffered the injury during Tuesday's 77-58 win over Kentucky.

Zeller, who started North Carolina's first two games in place of injured All-American Tyler Hansbrough, missed a dunk and came down hard on the wrist after he was fouled by Kentucky forward Ramon Harris.

"I hate this for Tyler (Zeller)," Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said. "He's such a great kid and he's going to be a terrific player for us. It's another big blow for our team, but it's more adversity that we have to overcome together."

His absence could leave the top-ranked Tar Heels (2-0) severely shorthanded at forward for Friday's game at Santa Barbara and next week's Maui Invitational in Hawaii.

Hansbrough, last season's consensus National Player of the Year, remains sidelined due to a stress reaction in his right shin, and Williams is not sure when he will get him back on the court.

North Carolina also is without starting forward Marcus Ginyard, who is still recovering from left foot surgery in October. Ginyard is expected to return next month.

If Hansbrough is not ready by Friday, the Tar Heels could start freshman Ed Davis, who averaged 9.5 points and 12.0 rebounds off the bench in North Carolina's first two games.