Sept. 7, 2004

BERKELEY - University of California sophomore forward Leon Powe will undergo reconstructive surgery on his left knee Wednesday - the second part of a two-step procedure that began with an initial operation in April. His prognosis for the upcoming 2004-05 campaign will be determined after the operation. Powe, the 2004 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, had a bone graft April 21 performed by Dr. Richard Steadman at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo. Now that the graft has healed, he will undergo the second surgery, also to be performed by Dr. Steadman. As part of a normal postseason physical, it was determined that Powe would need a special procedure to strengthen his knee. Powe then consulted several specialists and underwent a series of tests to determine the best course of action for its long-term benefit. Powe initially had reconstructive surgery on his knee in the spring of 2002 after he sustained an injury following his junior season at Oakland Tech High School. Powe returned to the court for his senior year and earned McDonald's and first team Parade magazine All-America honors. As a freshman at Cal in 2003-04, Powe led the Bears in scoring with 15.1 ppg, and he topped the Pac-10 in rebounding with 9.5 rpg, playing in 27 of Cal's 28 games.