Stephane Lasme Undergoes Left Foot Surgery

Posted by Brian Robb on Nov 19, 2010 1083811 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2Fstephane-lasme-undergoes-left-foot-surgery%2FStephane+Lasme+Undergoes+Left+Foot+Surgery2010-11-19+15%3A58%3A43Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D10838

Stephane Lasme did about everything he could in the regular season to earn a spot on this roster. At the end of the day, he was a victim of a roster squeeze as well as depth chart issues as Delonte West’s 10-game suspension along with Avery Bradley’s injury made Von Wafer needed for insurance purposes in the backcourt more than anything else. Lasme was cut, but the C’s saw promise in the UMass prospect enough to convince him to stay close in Portland so the team could keep their eye on him if big man were to go down for an extended period.

That scenario has been put on hold however as the power forward went down with an injury just minutes in the Red Claws D-League Preseason opener. And last night, the Red Claws confirmed the disappointing news that Lasme would be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a fractured left foot. His surgery was performed by Dr. Gregory Pomeroy at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine. Here’s the full statement from the team:

“We were very excited to have Stephane Lasme on our team, and it is disappointing that Red Claws fans will have to wait to see what an incredible athlete and person he is,” Red Claws president and general manager Jon Jennings said in a release. “First and foremost, however, our concern is with Stephane, and his health and career. We wish him the best in his recovery and look forward to seeing him playing at the Expo as soon as possible.”

Really just a tough break for a guy who had come a long way after playing overseas for a couple years, then returning to the states for another crack at the NBA and to stay closer to his family. From the C’s perspective, their best short-term option for picking up a big man on the cheap is likely out the window for the foreseeable future.  Given, no one on this roster likely gets cut right now unless someone else besides Jermaine O’Neal goes down with an injury, but on a team where it’s tough for newbies to earn the coach’s respect and trust, Lasme made positive strides in that department in the short time he was here. The guy was also universally liked and respected in the locker room.

In the meantime, the Red Claws finalized their final regular season roster. Several names should stick out to C’s fans here including Mario West, Jamar Smith, and Tiny Gallon (all C’s training camp signees). The team kicks off their season tonight in Portland and here’s my honest question to you CH readers: How much do you pay attention (if at all) to the D-League and Red Claws for a team like the Cs that doesn’t really have much of a need for the players on the roster?

10 — Lawrence Westbrook G — 6-0 — 190 — Minnesota
12 — Kenny Hayes — G — 6-1 — 170 — Miami (Ohio)
14 — Jamar Smith — G — 6-4 — 177 — Southern Indiana
17 — Lamonte Ulmer — F — 6-6 — 195 — Rhode Island
19 — Mario West — G — 6-5 — 223 — Georgia Tech
23 — Champ Oguchi — G — 6-5 — 201 — Illinois State
24 — Paul Harris — F — 6-5 — 235 — Syracuse
34 — Eugene Spates — F — 6-8 — 235 — Northeastern
44 — Tiny Gallon — F — 6-10 — 310 — Oklahoma
50 — Magnum Rolle — C — 6-11 — 236 — Louisiana Tech