Matt retires for medical reasons. Here is the the official UCLA release with Matt's statement:
UCLA junior Matt McKinney has declared for medical retirement and will not compete for UCLA basketball or volleyball in 2005-06. McKinney will remain on scholarship through the 2005-06 season and he is on track to graduate in Spring 2006 (with a medical retirement, McKinney's scholarship will not count toward basketball's total of 13).
McKinney's three-year Bruin athletic career has been hampered by injury and illness. As a true freshman in 2002-03, he redshirted in basketball, but did compete for Al Scates' volleyball team. As a redshirt freshman in 2003-04, McKinney missed all of the basketball season with a broken left foot and did not compete in volleyball.
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"First of all, I'd like to thank both the UCLA basketball and volleyball coaching staffs, along with the UCLA medical staff, especially Dr. John Difiori, for all their support throughout the season and my career," said McKinney, who prepped at Santa Ynez HS. "It's been a very tough year for me going through so many different medical problems and having to fight through them. I've come to a decision, with my doctors and parents, to declare for medical retirement. That is the best decision for me, to seek additional medical advice and get healthier. It's been an honor and a privilege to be able to wear the UCLA jersey during my Bruin career. It's something I will never forget."
Thank you too Matt. He is a solid kid. And during times last year it was pretty obvious that his health issues were really affecting him. Yet he was always being a warrior giving Coach Howland everything he had. I am pretty sure whatever Matt takes up after basketball, with his UCLA degree he is going to be successful.McKinney's three-year Bruin athletic career has been hampered by injury and illness. As a true freshman in 2002-03, he redshirted in basketball, but did compete for Al Scates' volleyball team. As a redshirt freshman in 2003-04, McKinney missed all of the basketball season with a broken left foot and did not compete in volleyball.
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"First of all, I'd like to thank both the UCLA basketball and volleyball coaching staffs, along with the UCLA medical staff, especially Dr. John Difiori, for all their support throughout the season and my career," said McKinney, who prepped at Santa Ynez HS. "It's been a very tough year for me going through so many different medical problems and having to fight through them. I've come to a decision, with my doctors and parents, to declare for medical retirement. That is the best decision for me, to seek additional medical advice and get healthier. It's been an honor and a privilege to be able to wear the UCLA jersey during my Bruin career. It's something I will never forget."
In terms of scholies and our program, this probably means since its a medical retirement it won't count against our total, so in theory we could take another player next year or even a transfer (helloooo BT).
More from JD over at UCLA Basketball Blog. In any event, best of luck to Matt. We are all pulling for him.
Go Bruins.