Kaiser Gates undergoes knee surgery

Kaiser Gates underwent one of those surgeries yesterday that everyone calls “minor” except for the person having it. “Kaiser had a scope procedure to remove small particles of cartilage in his left knee,” said Xavier Associate Head Athletic Trainer David Fluker. “We are optimistic that he can be back on the court in four weeks." Those of you with a calendar handy will note that Xavier plays in less than four weeks time.

As it currently stands it seems safe to assume that Gates will miss at the Lehigh and Buffalo games even if everything goes swimmingly. The Puerto Rico Tip-Off (in Orlando) is surely at risk now as well. If we hold Xavier’s staff to their timeline, Northern Iowa would be the first time that Gates could be back playing. That assumes that the “on the court” portion of what David Fluker said doesn’t simply mean a return to practice. An already very thin team just somehow got thinner.