Eric Musselman says Trevon Brazile's rehab is 'going great'

Even with Arkansas making the Sweet 16 last season, there still could have been so much more for Eric Musselman’s team. Injuries were a key storyline, especially with Trevon Brazile. A knee injury kept the Missouri transfer off the court for all but nine games.

Brazile was able to average 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from behind the three-point line. Had there been an entire season’s body of work available, Musselman believes Brazile would have been in Brooklyn at the NBA Draft on Thursday night.

“If he would have stayed healthy, I think he would have been the green room, to be honest with you,” Musselman said. “It was a devastating injury for him and our team. Certainly, he’s got an incredible future ahead of him.”

The future for Brazile has already begun, with rehab “going great” according to Musselman. Brazile has returned to Fayetteville to play for Arkansas this season, hoping to achieve that NBA dream. As things stand in June, everything seems to be going to plan.

“Rehab is going great,” Musselman said. “I don’t like to use the term ‘way ahead of schedule’ because with us, the schedule is going to stay the same, no matter what. The strength, the testing — he’s in a great spot. But we’re not going to rush him back. We are going to get him ready to play in November. That’s all we’re focused on.”

For somebody coming off a knee injury suffered in early December, six months is considered middle of the recovery period. Musselman may not like the term but he showed how Brazile could be ahead of schedule. The forward is clearly still in great shape and is able to run well.

“He did run the mile with our team,” Musselman said. “He beat some guys. He made his time the very first time he ran the mile. I think if a head coach is telling you he ran the mile and beat some players and made his time the first time — that’s a really, really good sign.”

Conditioning is always a huge one for Musselman. Everybody on the team is required to break a certain mile time, even at the beginning of the calendar. Other player’s times were not revealed but seeing Brazile beat out some teammates should encourage Arkansas fans on his recovery.

Rehab will continue until the lights officially come on in November.