Rayburn: Cals 100 Percent Behind Me
This summer hasn't quite gone as planned for Sam Rayburn, the 6-foot-10,
230-pound center from Sunset High School in Portland, Ore. Because of a knee
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injury suffered in the Oregon State Tournament, Rayburn has been on the shelf
this summer instead of playing with his Portland Elite Legends AAU team.
However, the Cal-commit is not getting down on himself, instead concentrating
on his rehab and looking forwards to next season with his high school team.
Rayburn underwent a knee operation in mid-May, where doctors repaired a torn
ACL and performed a meniscus transplant. The surgery went well, and therapy
has been in full force the past nine weeks. For the past four and a half
weeks, Rayburn's been able to bend his knee and do some light walking.
"I work out three times a week," said Rayburn. "Right now we're working on
motion and quad strength. The doctors are really happy with how it's gone. So
it's looking good."
Basketball-wise, the things that Rayburn is able to do are limited. But he's
been doing what he can.
"I do some set shooting, but other than that, that's all I can do. I can't
run, jump, or anything like that right now," said Rayburn. "I was five weeks
immobile, on crutches, couldn't bend my legs. But I've been lifting in the
weight room and doing body stuff, and I'm doing therapy three times a week."
The current prognosis is looking good.
"They say I'll be 100 percent in a couple of months," he said. "Right now it
looks like I won't be able to start the season, but I'm hoping to be ready for
the season to start. And I want to be ready for the season to start. But I
think it's going to be November or December before I can start playing again.
And then I'd need to get back into it after not playing for such a long time."
"I've got a ways to go still, but it's getting better."
One thing that is encouraging Rayburn to work hard to perhaps come back a
little earlier than expected is the Les Schwab Invitational in December. This
year's event will be loaded with premier big men, with the likes of Al
Jefferson, DJ White, Roy Hibbert, not to mention Rayburn's good friend Maarty
Leunen planning on making the trip to Portland. The opportunity to play
against these guys has Rayburn excited.
"I've played one or two of those kids before but I want to play against Al
Jefferson," said Rayburn. "I've seen him, but I haven't played against him. I
hope I'm ready. I don't know if I will be, but I hope so."
Rayburn verbally committed to Cal last fall. They've been extremely supportive
during the entire process.
"They're totally fine. They're behind me 100 percent," said Rayburn. "They're
not going anywhere and I'm not going anywhere. So, it's the perfect situation
for me."
In fact, Cal head coach Ben Braun has been checking in on Rayburn's process
regularly.
"He's been a great guy. I just talked to him the other day," said Rayburn.
"I'm going back down there in about two weeks to see my doctor and make another
unofficial visit to the university (Rayburn made an official visit in May)."
"But (Cal's) been great, and they're 100 percent behind me."
Jed Tai is a senior writer with Hoopville.com