MOBILE, Alabama - As South Alabama's players took to the court for practice Monday afternoon they were joined by a familiar, yet recently missing-in-action member of the team: senior guard Freddie Goldstein.
South Alabama guard Freddie Goldstein (11) brings the ball up the court during the first half of a Sun Belt Conference college basketball game against Arkansas State Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala. Goldstein was injured six games later and believed out for the year, but he is expected to play Wednesday in South Alabama's CollegeInsider.com basketball tournament game at Tulane. (Mike Kittrell/[email protected])
Goldstein had his senior season shortened - and at first believed ended, which would have ended his college career as well - when he suffered a broken collarbone in a home game against Western Kentucky on Jan. 24.
But, after almost seven weeks on the sidelines, Goldstein was told by doctors Monday he is medically cleared to play when the Jaguars take on Tulane in New Orleans Wednesday in a first-round game of the CollegeInsider.com basketball tournament.
Asked his reaction when he was presented the good news, Goldstein said, "The first thing I did was call my mom. The whole family is excited. They said, 'You've got one more chance.' So I'm looking forward to it.
"I was thinking that (of telling doctor he had to clear him to play), but you really can't say too much.''
When he was injured, Goldstein had played in 18 games with 17 starts. He was averaging 8.1 points and 2.3 rebounds a game and gave the Jags a 3-point threat. He also had 45 assists. Now, he has his wish, which was to have the opportunity to play for South Alabama once again. He wants to take advantage of that opportunity, regardless of how much he is used.
"From the injury, it was heartbreaking, just knowing that season as over (for him),'' he said. "I couldn't be a part of the team. It was a struggle, really, for about the first two weeks. But after adjusting to it and just coming to the reality that I have to get better and let it heal and hopefully I'll play again. Luckily, my arm feels great right now, my collarbone feels great, and I'm ready to let it ride.
"I was trying to get ready to get back for the tournament. I was trying to get shots up slowly week by week, but they told me it wouldn't be a good idea. But mew being hard-headed and really just kept shooting, it came back a week or two later, right after the (spring) break. ... It's great. I'm ready to get back out there and show these youngsters how it's done.''
South Alabama interim head coach Jeff Price said it's good to have Goldstein back, regardless of how much he will be able to play and contribute. He said just having him back on the floor practicing with his teammates has been a boost for everyone associated with the team.
"It means an experience guard for us who hopefully can make some shots for us, and he hasn't made one in a long time because he's obviously been out,''Price said. "But just to have him back out here in practice and that enthusiasm he brings and that intensity and a guy who's able to make some jump shots, it's nice to have him back.
"He hasn't played in a while. It's a situation where he'll have to work his way back in a little at a time. It's a situation where we don't have a lot of time for him to work himself back in shape and we'll have to monitor his minutes and see how he does. There's not anything wrong as far as him shooting the ball, but it's more a concern with him getting hit (on the collarbone. Doctors) have told him it's pretty solid right now. He might be a little gunshy at first, but he's excited about the chance.
"He's overly excited. I can tell you, he was going to do whatever he had to do to get that doctor to clear him. He was really wanting to get cleared so he could play, so when he got cleared, I wasn't in there, but I'm sure that he was very forceful about the fact this was his last opportunity and he wanted to play.''
The 5-foot-10 guard from Milwaukee, Wis., arrived at South Alabama via Motlow State Community College, where he averaged 16.3 points a game in his two seasons there. Last year with the Jags, he averaged 11.7 points and 2.7 rebounds a game, hitting 37.1 percent from 3-point range and 36.7 percent from the floor overall.
Wednesday, he is expected to return to the court, return to his team and return to taking perimeter shots for the Jags.
"It's a blessing,'' Goldstein said of the opportunity. "It's only been about six and a half weeks now since my injury. I did some rehab on it, but it feels great. But they're giving me another chance to play on it and that's it. I'm just going to take this opportunity and run with it.
"It was tough sitting out, but watching (the team) play and grow as a team while I wasn't there, it was good knowing they are going to get better as a program. I'm a senior and it was freshmen and sophomores that got more playing time, that got to grow. I'm just happy to be a part of the program again.''
Wednesday's game at Tulane is set to begin at 7 p.m. South Alabama carries a 17-12 overall record into the game, with Tulane boasting a 19-14 record. This is the Jags' first postseason tournament appearance in five years.