Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Nerlens Noel has been cleared for basketball activities. Here’s what Dr. James Andrews had to say about Nerlens Noel:
“He is doing excellent and the team is taking good care of him,” Andrews told ESPN.com on Wednesday.
“He tested really well and his knee looks great,” one source said. “Dr. Andrews suggested he be cleared to do on-court drills, but the team still has to clear him.”
Here’s what the 76ers said in a press release today:
“Since his arrival in Philadelphia, Nerlens’ capacity for work both in his rehab and in our weight room has been incredible. Our sports performance and training staff have been extremely complimentary of his efforts thus far during this methodical rehab process.
“After careful consideration and numerous discussions with our medical and performance teams, the consulting physician and rehabilitation staff, and Nerlens’ representatives, some of the restrictions on Nerlens have been lifted and he is now able to participate in limited on-court work.
“There are several benchmarks Nerlens still must meet, and during that time we will closely monitor his progress and regularly evaluate his status. Our goal remains the same, which is to give Nerlens every opportunity to ensure a long, productive NBA career.”
It’s very important to note that a doctor cleared Noel, not the 76ers.
The 76ers traded for Noel on draft night in 2013. At the time they thought he would be ready to play in December of what is now the current season, but it’s January 15th, 2014, and Noel still hasn’t played. Many people expected him to miss the entire season, but now it’s looking like he’ll be ready to play shortly after the All-Star break, which takes place in the middle of February.
This is great news for 76ers fans. It’s important that Noel gets to play with his teammates this season, so he will have some NBA experience heading into next season. Experience is key.
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