Cunningham to return next season despite injury

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

As part of his plan for rebuilding Gary, Ind., major Scott King has landed a professional basketball team, which could be seeking the services of a former Purdue assistant coach.

The Gary Steelheads, a CBA team, will begin play in November. They don't have a coach yet, but Frank Kendrick, an assistant to Purdue coach Gene Keady from 1990 to 1999, could move from his current job at the Purdue Memorial Union.

"I am considered," said Kendrick. "I am in the race, but I have not signed a contract."

Kendrick said he's excited about the possible opportunity.

"Hopefully it'll work out," said Kendrick. "Right now I'm just cautiously optimistic and would love to have the opportunity."

Point guard Carson Cunningham will return next season as Purdue's only senior, but he might not be returning to play at full strength for a while.

"He'll be full go in September, at least that's what the doctors say," said Keady.

On March 31 Cunningham had surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left ankle. He suffered the injury in Purdue's loss to Indiana on Feb. 29 but continued playing as the Boilers advanced to the Elite Eight.

Cunningham will have to go through rehabilitation, but for now he is free to work on his upper body in the weight room. As part of the Purdue's off-season conditioning, the team has been working out three times a week.

Keady said there are plans to bring the Harlem Globetrotters in to Mackey Arena for an exhibition game before next season.

The plans haven't been finalized, though. Keady, who was recently named the president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, was at the Final Four and so were the Globetrotters.

"They were busy, and they didn't have time to talk," said Keady.

In a game that Keady helped put together, the Globetrotters were playing against and all-star team composed of college seniors, including Boiler Brian Cardinal. The team was selected by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.