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Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that veteran forward Matt Harpring will miss the remainder of the season. As a result of numerous surgeries and considerable residual medical issues, it has been determined that the 11-year NBA veteran is no longer physically able to perform at an NBA level. Harpring has not practiced or played during the current 2009-10 NBA season.
After several months of continued rehab and physical therapy, doctors have informed Harpring that he will not be able to return to action this season. In addition, the doctors have advised that further attempts at continued NBA play would be counterproductive to Harpring’s health, both in the short term and long term.
“Despite the wear and tear of four collegiate seasons, 11 NBA seasons and undergoing numerous surgeries, I remained hopeful that I would be able to rejoin my Jazz teammates on the court this season,” Harpring said. “However, after consultations with the doctors and based on their recommendations, I have reluctantly come to the realization that my body can simply no longer withstand the rigors of NBA games and practices.”
Harpring (6-7, 230, Georgia Tech) has appeared in 665 games (349 starts) over 11 seasons with Orlando, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Utah, owning career averages of 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. His best statistical season came in 2002-03 with the Jazz when he appeared in 78 games (69 starts) and averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting .511 from the field.
Originally signed by the Jazz as a free agent on August 15, 2002, Harpring has seen action in 474 games (191 starts) over seven seasons with Utah and has averaged 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game. Harpring averaged 11.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 63 games (two starts) for the Jazz in 2008-09.
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