Stone hopes to continue rolling after operation

By Ana Tintocalis, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, November 2, 1998

Grant Stone is a man on a mission.

Since undergoing a delicate foot operation during the summer, the 6-foot-8-inch power forward has endured long hours of rehabilitation in hopes of returning this basketball season in rock-solid shape before he makes his "Grant" entrance for Long Beach State.

"The foot is getting better," Stone said. "I do feel confident that in the next month and a half I will be rehabilitated and contribute to the team. I don't know if I could handle not putting in my 110 percent to play."

Stone, a native of Oklahoma, burst onto the LBSU basketball scene last year as a freshman and had an immediate impact with the 49ers. He lead the team in scoring in his first collegiate game with a season high 13 points.

He also played a major role by leading the team with 64 offensive rebounds and starting in every game except for the Senior Night finale against Idaho.

Usually seen fighting for the ball on the court last year, Stone will be seen on the bench during the first part of the 1998-99 basketball season due to his injury.

"The doctors feel that when we start practicing Oct. 17, that's when he [Stone] can first start to shoot around and do something with the ball," said Long Beach State Head Coach Wayne Morgan. "We're going to listen to the doctors, listen to the trainers and listen to Grant."

The surgery, which is known as a left accessory navicular removal, was performed on Stone's left ankle to remove an extra bone in his foot that he fractured during the final game of the season last year against Utah State.

"I came down for a rebound and stepped on a guy's foot wrong and twisted my foot," Stone said. "It just swelled up and never went away."

According to his doctors, the surgery was a mandatory procedure if Stone wanted to continue playing basketball.

Stone is now using muscle-building equipment and undergoing various types of therapeutical exercises such as toe lifts, leg lifts, aqua aerobics and body squats to strengthen not only his foot, but his entire leg.

"When I get my muscle back in my leg, I think everything will be better," Stone said. "I don't think it will hurt my game at all. It's just about getting back in shape, basketball shape."

Yet the most difficult part of Stone's recovery is not the long hours of rehabilitation, but the time he spends off the court resting his foot.

"It's probably the most frustrating thing I've ever had to do in my life," he said. "Because I see things where I could help out the team, and places where my experience from playing so much could help the team benefit."

Although he is determined to be back on the court this season, Stone may become a medical red shirt candidate if his foot is not completely strengthened by the time LBSU faces North Western University on Nov. 15.

An intense physical player, the power forward adds finesse to his rough style of play, which helped him average five points and five rebounds a game last year.

Stone was a late signee to the LBSU men's basketball team, committing to the school one week before the fall semester last year.

The 19-year-old forward made his debut Nov. 15, 1997 after he replaced 49er center Ian Milley, who was hurt in the season opener.

"It was incredible starting as a freshman," Stone said. "I would come on the court and there would be 3,000 people in the stands, and here I am, Grant Stone. I would just get the chills."

Not only will his size and experience add to the team's strength this year, but also his enthusiasm, he said.

"I think I bring emotion to the team," Stone said. "I'm always talking and helping guys out. My emotional presence is something that I've tried to work on. What I lack in size and strength I make up for with that."

Stone also said Long Beach State's team this year has three ingredients that will catapult it to the top of the Big West conference: raw talent, a positive attitude and insightful experience.

"I really think this team will do well in this conference," he said. "I think to be Big West champions is a big goal to set, but I think it's a goal we'll be able to achieve."

But for LBSU coach Wayne Morgan, not having Stone as a starting forward at the beginning of the season will be a missing element in the equation for the 49ers success.

"He's a tremendous young man. In terms of his aptitude for the game, he's probably the best I've ever seen," said Morgan. "If Grant says he can play, he can play."

Stone has gone on to make a name for himself athletically, as well as academically at Long Beach State.

"I would like to graduate my sophomore year with a 3.25 GPA," said Stone. "As far as basketball, I would just like to contribute, whether or not I'll be starting. I want to score however many points it takes, or to get as many rebounds possible. More than anything, I just want to win."

And although Stone will have a different view of the court from the bench at the beginning of the season, he says not to count him out.

"I know I'll be back," he said. "And I'll be able to help."

Daily Forty-Niner staff reporter Eric Boyum contributed to the story.