University of North Carolina Athletics
Bersticker to Apply for Medical Red-Shirt
February 20, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 20, 2000
University of North Carolina junior center/forward Brian Bersticker will apply to the Atlantic Coast Conference for a medical hardship after the 1999-2000 season is completed. Bersticker fractured his fifth left metatarsal in Carolina's win over College of Charleston on December 3rd and underwent surgery that included a bone graft three days later.
"We hoped Brian would be able to return this month and contribute to this year's team success," says head coach Bill Guthridge. "However, his foot has not responded to the medical treatment the way we anticipated. He stopped practicing on Monday when his foot felt sore and has not been able to return to practice. We feel it is in Brian's best interests to not play again this year and apply for a medical red-shirt when the season is over."
ersticker averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in Carolina's first five games. He scored 12 points against Purdue in the Maui Invitational championship game and grabbed seven rebounds in the season opener against Southern California. Bersticker made 12 of 17 field goal attempts this year.
He returned to limited activity in practice on February 7th, but experienced soreness while practicing on February 14th.
The Virginia Beach, Va., native is eligible to apply for a medical red-shirt season since he played only in the first half of the season and competed in less than 20 percent of Carolina's contests.
