Weber says Bertrand likely to redshirt: Former Golden Warrior healing well

CHAMPAIGN –  Illinois freshman guard Joseph Bertrand has a small nick on his forehead from dunking at the Ubben Basketball Complex with classmate D.J. Richardson.

It’s another sign that Bertrand is recovering from cartilage surgery in September, but Illini coach Bruce Weber acknowledged Wednesday for the first time that Bertrand will redshirt unless there’s a catastrophic string of injuries.

For Bertrand to play, “something crazy would have to happen,” Weber said. “He’s still not close to being ready to play. It will still be another couple weeks.

“I told him and his mother that we have to approach it as it’s going to be a redshirt. If something out of the ordinary happens, then we’ll address it.”

The two-time Class 3A state dunk champion from Sterling, Bertrand injured the knee in early September. Bertrand underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on Sept. 11, four days after he injured it during a team workout. He was on the court for Illinois’ season-opening practice Oct. 16, and he played in the team’s Orange and Blue Scrimmage and Illinois’ exhibition opener against Missouri Southern on Oct. 31. He has not played since.

“I don’t know if (trainer) Al Martindale knows, but the other day we were in here doing dunks, and he hit his head on the rim and he got a little cut right here,” said Richardson, pointing to his forehead. “So he kind of looked back to normal. But he might be jumping higher right now.”

Illinois (8-2) plays Georgia (4-4) in suburban Atlanta at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Bertrand timeline

Sept. 7:  Injures knee during team workout

Sept. 11: Undergoes arthroscopic procedure on right knee

Oct. 16: On court for team’s official practice

Oct. 31: Plays in opening exhibition game against Southern Missouri. Does not play in any games after

Dec. 16: Coach Bruce Weber states that Bertrand is likely to redshirt season