Michigan forward Mitch McGary out for the season

The University of Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein announced today that sophomore forward Mitch McGary will be out indefinitely after he elected to have back surgery. There is no timetable for McGary’s return, but the medical staff expects him to make a full recovery.

“My back problems have been a daily challenge ever since late August,” said McGary. “We have worked hard rehabbing the injury and I thought that everything was proceeding in the right direction until the last two weeks. I have consulted with my family, my coaches and our doctors and decided the best option now is to have surgery. This was a difficult decision to make because I want to be out there with my teammates. At the same time, I need to be healthy to give everything I can on the court and help my team.”

McGary has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 9.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

“We want Mitch to be 100 percent healthy again,” said Beilein. “He has worked very hard over the last few months and during his earlier rehab. He was making progress in practice and games; however, lately he began to experience the same pain he had when we held him out of preseason practice this fall. Our first priority is Mitch’s overall health even though I am certain he would rather be back on the court right now.”