Filip Cvjeticanin To Undergo Back Surgery, Redshirt 2014-15 Season

(Courtesy of Captive Photons)

Florida Gulf Coast senior forward Filip Cvjeticanin will undergo back surgery in Europe this week and redshirt the 2014-15 season, the school announced Monday. He will then return to the court in 2015-16 for his senior season.

“Filip’s back has plagued him for some time. He hasn’t been able to lift weights and has missed valuable practice time,” Dooley said in the release. “This procedure will hopefully fix those issues. It gives him some time to get stronger and continue to develop. We’re looking forward to having him rehab here at FGCU following the procedure and expect him to contribute significantly during the 2015-16 season.

Cvjeticanin averaged 6.8 points and 2.7 rebounds a game for the Eagles last season. His 40.1 3-PT FG% led the team and his absence will hurt FGCU's long range potency. His 55 made threes were only matched by guard Bernard Thompson.

The Eagles return starters Brett Comer, Bernard Thompson, and Jamail Jones, but lose senior Chase Fieler and transfers Eric McKnight and Dajuan Graf.

Guards Christian Terrell and Zach Johnson, and big men Eric Moeller, and Demetris Morant round out FGCU's recruiting class. The latter of the four is awaiting a decision on a hardship waiver that would give him eligibility to play immediately. Meanwhile, transfers Julian DeBose, Brian Greene Jr., and Marc-Eddy Norelia will all be coming off redshirt years.

With probably the most talented squad in program history, the Eagles have been tabbed as early favorites to win the Atlantic Sun.

Their full schedule has yet to be released but Xavier, Pittsburgh, UC Santa Barbara, and South Dakota State headline their list of confirmed opponents.

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