Cal forward Christian Behrens might play elsewhere next season

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Christian Behrens didn’t know if he’d play for Cal any more this season.

The redshirt junior underwent knee surgery to remove a bone chip Feb. 13. Before the surgery, Behrens was told he might be out three to four weeks, which would end his season. But the surgery went well. It wasn’t as invasive as the doctors originally feared. And Behrens managed to practice Monday after missing three games.

He’s expected to play Wednesday against Oregon, in what could be his second to last home game for Cal.

“He was a part of the whole practice. He should be good to go, unless he feels some sort of pain,” Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin said. “He was fine in practice yesterday.”

In a surprising twist, Behrens also will take part in Senior Day festivities Sunday, when the Bears play Oregon State.

He’ll graduate this spring with one year of eligibility left, so there is a chance the 6-foot-8 power forward doesn’t return to Cal next season. Behrens hopes to attend graduate school and will have the option of playing elsewhere — if he wants to.

Cal forward Christian Beherens (right) will return earlier than expected from knee surgery. Cal forward Christian Beherens (right) will return earlier than expected from knee surgery. Photo: Gary Breedlove / Associated Press Photo: Gary Breedlove / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Cal forward Christian Behrens might play elsewhere next season 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Staying at Cal likely means limited playing time. Other schools can offer the chance of a fresh start along with the potential for more minutes.

“That’s something that I’ll have to figure out,” Behrens said. “I want to stay a Golden Bear as long as possible.”

Behrens’ role dwindled as the season progressed. He went from a starter to a role player off the bench. He averages 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. The numbers aren’t staggering, but he does give the limited Cal frontcourt an important option off the bench. Without Behrens, the Bears have one other option in unpolished freshman center Kinglsey Okoroh.

But Martin will be looking to bring his own players in for his second year with the program, meaning it may be best for both parties to go in separate directions. Martin, however, says the current plan is to have Behrens on the team next year.

“We’ll sit down and talk and see what he feels is most important,” Martin said. “He’s always a part of our team.”

The Maple Valley, Wash., native isn’t sure what kind of graduate degree he wants. He said it’s a decision he’ll have to make after the season.

The hazy future is part of the reason Behrens will be honored on Cal’s Senior Day. Even though he could return, he’ll walk to midcourt alongside one of his best friends in senior center David Kravish and fifth-year graduate transfer Dwight Tarwater.

It’s an opportunity he wouldn’t want to miss, especially because he might play elsewhere next season.

“It was an option that was given to me,” Behrens said. “This is the year I graduate. It just feels right this way.”

Mike Vernon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: mvernon@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @M_Vernon

Wednesday’s game

Who: Cal (16-11, 6-8 Pac-12) vs. Oregon (20-8, 10-5)

Where: Haas Pavilion

When: 8:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: ESPNU/810