Minor Setback for a Major Comeback

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Published on Tuesday, 24 July 2012 16:19

HOUSTON, TX—One week after receiving full medical clearance and only three short months following his 2012 season ending heart surgery, center-forward Chris Wilcox re-signed with the Boston Celtics.

“I’m back and I’m ready,” Wilcox told ESPN. “I’m just going to take full advantage of all my situations and all the opportunities that have been coming my way, and, like I said, it’s a blessing that I’m able to come back to a team to kind of pick up where I left off.”

 

The one-year deal comes less than four months after Wilcox underwent bypass surgery for an enlarged aorta, which doctors discovered during a routine heart screening. Tests revealed that Wilcox’s aorta, the largest artery in the body had recently thickened. Wilcox was in the midst of a phenomenal season, leading the Celtics in Field Goal percentage, converting 60% of his shots and averaging 17.2 minutes per game in 28 appearances. Upon discovery of the heart abnormality, Wilcox’s season ended immediately.

 

After his surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on March 29, 2012 doctors and Celtics officials remained optimistic about Wilcox’s return to basketball. Last week he was given full medical clearance and Wilcox expects to join training camp without any restrictions in late September.

 

Wilcox officially rejoins key teammates Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass who also agreed to contracts with the Celtics. Backup forward Jeff Green and newly signed guard Jason Terry also join the Celtics for the 2012-2013 season.

 

 

For more on Wilcox’s comeback check out these articles:

 

CelticsHub.com "CelticsHub Goes One-on-One with Chris Wilcox"

 

WEEI "Chris Wilcox: This is a Blessing for Me to Even Be Here"

 

ESPN Boston "Chris Wilcox Eager to Make Up for Lost Time"

 

Rant NBA "Boston Celtics Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox Should Bring Inspired Play"

 

Red's Army: Voice of Boston Celtics Fans "Chris Wilcox talks about his heart condition"

 

Washington Post "Celtics Make It Official: Garnett, Bass, Wilcox all re-sign"

 

Boston Herald "Celtics Agree to Deal with Chris Wilcox"

 

Boston Globe "Green and Wilcox Plan to Be Ready for Celtics Camp"

 

ESPN Boston "C's Introduce Green, Terry, Bass, Wilcox"

 

CelticsHub "Celtics Bringing Back Chris Wilcox for Next Season"

 

Boston Globe "Chris Wilcox Returning to Celtics"

 

Enterprise News "Chris Wilcox Says He Will Rejoin the Celtics"

 

ESPN Boston "Source: Wilcox Returning to Celtics"

 

CSNNE.com "Green, Wilcox felt it was right to return to Celtics"

 

Taunton Gazette "Celtics' Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox on Comeback Trail Together"

 

Taunton Gazette "Celtics' Wilcox, Green Back at Practice After Surgery"

 

The Globe and Mail "Celtics Make It Official: Garnett, Bass, Wilcox All Re-Sign"

 

NBA "Celtics Re-Sign Chris Wilcox"

 

RantNBA "Boston Celtics Chris Wilcox is Back for More"

 

Miami Herald "Garnett, Bass, Wilcox Re-Sign"