The beginning of Derek Reese’s collegiate career at Tennessee has been put on hold for the time being, following shoulder surgery, the school announced in a release.
Reese, a 6-7 guard from Orlando, Fla., underwent surgery Tuesday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
The true freshman will need about six months to recover, according to the school’s medical staff. He traveled with the team on a trip to Italy this summer, but was not in uniform for any of the four games.
He committed to Tennessee in August 2011.
Reese is part of a three-man 2012 recruiting class for Cuonzo Martin’s Volunteers, as UT comes off a 19-15 season, including 10-6 in the SEC.
“Derek’s a high-character kid from a good family. I’m excited about what he’s going to bring to our program,” Martin said of Reese at the time of his signing in November.
“Derek is a versatile wing who shoots the ball well and he’s a good athlete,” Martin continued. “He has a good feel for the game, and he can really stroke it from 3-point range. He’s primarily a perimeter player, but he’s also really skilled around the basket.”
The Volunteers also welcome guard Armani Moore and junior college forward D’Montre Edwards.
Photo Credit: Coast2CoastRecruiting.net
Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_