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Syracuse center Dajuan Coleman sits next to assistant coach Adrian Autry during a game against Wagner on Nov. 18 at the Carrier Dome.

(Photo by Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com)

Syracuse University freshman Dajuan Coleman returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since undergoing surgery on the meniscus in his left knee on Jan. 29.

Coleman, a 6-foot-9, 275-pound center, participated fully in the Orange's practice on Thursday at the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center.

"It felt real good just to get out and start running again,'' Coleman said after Thursday's practice. "I'm real happy.''

Coleman said Dr. Brad Raphael, who performed the surgery, examined him on Wednesday after Syracuse's game against Providence and cleared him to practice.

"I was sprinting Monday and Tuesday and just working out in the weight room,'' Coleman said. "Then after the game (on Wednesday), the doctor said I was cleared to play.''

Coleman will be available to play in Syracuse's game against Georgetown on Saturday, although after missing the last six games, if or how much he plays remains to be seen.

SU trainer Brad Pike said Coleman worked extremely hard to rehabilitate the knee. His recovery was expected to take at least four weeks. Coleman's return to the court on Thursday came just three and a half weeks after his surgery.

"I feel real good about his progress,'' Pike said. "Dr. Brad Raphael did a real good job. He got in there and fixed the problem with the meniscus. Dajuan went through the rehab process and was able to return a lot quicker than we thought he would.''

Coleman started the first 20 games of the season for Syracuse. He averaged 5.0 points and 4.4 rebounds. He said he didn't feel any apprehension during Thursday's practice.

"I was just so excited to get back that I put all that to the side,'' Coleman said."It feels good. After the surgery, I didn't have any pain. I'm glad I got it over with and I'm back already.''