Feb. 10, 2006
The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, appears through the basketball regular season. In this installment we spend time with injured senior forward Curtis Sumpter, who underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Nov. 15.
The answer to the question, the one that Curtis Sumpter says he hears as many as 50 times a day, will come from not from his parents, coach or even his heart. Instead it will be supplied by the very joint that is at the center of all the fuss.
"My knee's going to tell me when it's ready," he says.
Although he would love to be more specific, there is no reasonable way to do so. It is simply a question for which there is presently not a resolution.
For the record, Sumpter is no more certain of a return date today than he was when he underwent surgery on Nov. 15 in Birmingham, Ala. Progress has been steady but he appreciates that the recovery period from a torn ACL can last as long as a year.
On this afternoon, Sumpter's vantage point is a familiar one. He sits atop the scorer's table as his teammates stand at opposite ends of the court, shooting free throws, jumpers and laughing as they await the start of practice.
Sumpter is a part of the banter but not the action. His routine these days is to observe a bit of practice and then commence his own grueling rehabilitative journey with head athletic trainer Jeff Pierce. The two spend up to three hours each day exercising the left knee that Sumpter re-injured in the fall.
"It's going well but you wouldn't call it fun," notes the native of Brooklyn, N.Y., a pre-season all-Big East choice who averaged 15 points and seven rebounds a game for the Wildcats in 2004-05, despite being plagued by a right knee sprain suffered on Jan. 7 at Notre Dame.
"I think I'm making progress every day," states Sumpter. "That helps you to keep moving forward, to realize that you are coming along."
In the meantime, Sumpter provides a unique perspective on the 2005-06 Wildcats. For three seasons, he has played alongside classmates Randy Foye, Allan Ray and Jason Fraser. He was front and center for many of the trials and tribulations that helped forge the will that is now associated with these Wildcats. These days, he watches closely as his teammates and friends have battled to the best start in Big East play since 1982-83 and a No. 4 ranking nationally.
"The guys are playing real well," he states. "There were a lot of adjustments to make with a four guard lineup. You have to play smart basketball because you are at a size disadvantage. You can't ever let up and it's been great to see the way everyone has responded. I give a lot of credit to Randy and Al for the leaders they have been."
Sumpter, more than most, understands the value of setting an example. Like Foye, Ray and Fraser, he is a most respected voice in the locker room. Villanova coach Jay Wright has mentioned at several points this season that the biggest emotional blow the Wildcats have endured in 2005-06 was the loss of Sumpter.
"It really hit all of us," Wright said. "It wasn't even so much the loss of a great player. It's just that we all have so much respect for the person Curt is and how hard he worked to rehab his knee last summer."
It has been a difficult season for Sumpter. This is the first time in his life he has been forced to watch from the sidelines. Yet he has been supportive of his teammates throughout and pays close attention from his seat on the team bench during every game.
As one who has been alongside for so many of the ups and downs, Sumpter has a particular appreciation for the work of his classmates.
"Randy has gotten better each year he has been here," Sumpter states. "When we first got here Randy was the point guard and he really looked to get everyone else shots. It took him some time to adjust and it seemed like last year, he just took off. In the summer he got the chance to play for USA Basketball and that really showed him that he could not only compete but be one of the best players in the country.
"He's having so much success and I'm happy for him."
Likewise, he appreciates the contributions of Ray too.
"Allan's always had the confidence," says Sumpter. "Now he's doing all the little things that are important. He's a great scorer and he's doing whatever it takes to win games."
Fraser and Sumpter were rehab partners during the summer of 2005 and have been friends since their days as AAU teammates in New York. The 6-9 product of Amityville, N.Y., has played without pain and has made meaningful contributions to the 18-2 start.
"It's just so good to see Jason out there," says Sumpter. "He's worked so hard. I think he feels that he'll be playing his best basketball by the time we get to the end of the season."
Sumpter also likes what he sees from youngsters Shane Clark and Dante Cunningham.
"Both Shane and Dante have been real aggressive and I like that," he says. "When I talk with them I talk about bringing energy, defense and rebounding. They are doing a good job with that."
While much was made of Mike Nardi's 21st birthday on Jan. 30 in the win over Louisville, it went nearly unnoticed by many that it was Sumpter's birthday too. He turned 22 that day.
"Since it was Mike's birthday too, we just hung out with some of our teammates," he says. "It was good."
The urge to peek ahead to see what the coming weeks and months hold for Sumpter is tempting, not just for those who follow the Wildcats, but for the man himself. But, if nothing else, the experiences of the last 13 months have taught Sumpter the value of patience. Answers tend to come when they come.
"It's made me more patient, I think," he says. "I've learned you just have to take things one day at a time."
