ANN ARBOR -- Caris LeVert's recovery from a lower left leg injury sent him back to surgery for the third time in 22 months.

Having previously undergone left foot surgery in May 2014 and January 2015, Michigan announced Saturday night that LeVert underwent "a successful procedure on his left foot" at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City on Tuesday.

"After the NCAA Tournament, my family and I had the opportunity to have a consultation with Dr. Martin O'Malley in New York," LeVert said in a U-M press release on Saturday. "After a full evaluation, we discussed the most appropriate options for helping me and my injury as I move forward with my basketball career. After much prayer and family conversations, we were confident it was the right time to have this procedure done to make sure I reduce the possibility of injuries in the future."

According to O'Malley, who performed the surgery, LeVert is expected to begin rehabilitation in six weeks with the expectation of a full recovery by this summer.

On that timeline, it will be far-fetched for LeVert to participate in workouts at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago (May 11-15) in the build up to the July 23 NBA Draft.

The surgery is the latest turn in the road to recovery for LeVert. The graduating U-M senior played 33 of a possible 68 games over the last two seasons. After sustaining a stress fracture in his left foot at the end of his sophomore season, he suffered a full fracture in the same foot midway through the following season. He missed the remainder of the season after averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 15 contests.

LeVert could have entered the draft last offseason. He projected as a late first-round pick, but could have possibly slipped into the second round, where contracts are not guaranteed. LeVert opted to return for his senior season.

Through 14 games, LeVert led the Wolverines with 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Then, in a Dec. 30 win at Illinois, he appeared to step on an opponent's foot and roll his foot/ankle.

"I would have recommended the same path the U-M medical staff followed by opting to let Caris' injury heal without surgery in January and February in hopes of getting him back later in the season," O'Malley said in the release. "As we explored it further, we wanted to promote healing and prevention of a recurrence of this injury so we proceeded with surgery using enhancements that will yield success for years to come."

In an MLive look at LeVert's draft stock published earlier this week, three NBA three scouts described the 6-foot-7 guard's value as teetering on a delicate balance of risk versus reward and future medical evaluations.

"If he's proven healthy, the air of mystery (around LeVert) could be a positive," said a scout for a playoff-bound Eastern Conference team. "Right now, the air of mystery is negative."

LeVert's surgery will likely add to that air.

As it stands, he's already a member of a draft class that's heavy on big guards. Jamal Murray, Buddy Hield, Furkan Korkmaz and Denzel Valentine are among the bigger names, while Malik Beasley, Michael Gbinije, Malcolm Brogdon, Grayson Allen and Sheldon McClellan are all in the conversation.

Speaking to reporters in March, LeVert noted that surgery for his latest injury was previously considered, but doctors said it wasn't the best solution. At the time, he said he did not foresee needing any procedure and will take a couple weeks off before "really going at it again."

As for not disclosing specifics about the injury, LeVert said in March: "Moving forward, people will probably know -- going into (NBA draft) workouts and things like that. It's just, right now, we thought it was the best thing to just keep it to ourselves."

LeVert played 103 career games at Michigan, scoring 1,070 points and averaging 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.



"We were pleased Dr. O'Malley supported how our medical staff handled Caris' injury," said U-M head coach John Beilein in Saturday night's release. "Even with that affirmation, he recommended this additional surgery would be in the best interest for Caris. We all want him to have a healthy and successful playing career after college and this procedure will only enhance that opportunity for him."



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