Oct. 11, 2006

Duquesne University head men's basketball coach Ron Everhart announced today that 6-9, 255-pound graduate student center Almamy Thiero (Mali, West Africa/Mount Zion (N.C.) Academy/Memphis) underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday morning.

The first-year Memphis transfer will be out 2-4 weeks.

"Al was experiencing some swelling and discomfort so they went in and cleaned out some cartilage," said Everhart. "I was told it was not a major medical procedure. From a practice perspective, this will make things a little more difficult, being that we'll only have one big man until we can get Al back on the floor."

Duquesne starts practice for the 2006-07 season on Friday, Oct. 13. The season-opener is Monday, Nov. 13 versus Youngstown State at the Palumbo Center.

NOTE: correct pronunciation is - (ahl-mah-MEE cheer-O)