Bell Practices at full speed!

Here is a link to the full article in the Spokesman Review:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/06/bell-sacre-practice-at-full-speed/

Gonzaga’s Gary Bell Jr. was writhing on the court, his right knee twisted when Illinois’ 7-foot-1 center Meyers Leonard dove into a prone Bell pursuing a loose ball during Saturday’s game at Assembly Hall.

Bell’s knee hurt and one thought was racing through his mind.

“Oh gosh, this can’t be good,” he told himself.

Two days later, Bell’s knee was, well, good. He practiced full speed Monday. He drove hard to the basket, ran the court, defended on the perimeter and battled for rebounds. He took a spill penetrating the lane and quickly bounced to his feet, signaling with his hands that a defender was guilty of a blocking foul.

Bell went to the McCarthey Athletic Center earlier Monday, hours before practice.

“I was in here shooting, and I could still dunk,” said Bell, smiling. “So I feel good.”

He said the play, which occurred late in Illinois’ 82-75 win, “really scared me because it hurt so bad. Thank God it wasn’t something bad. Luckily it went away pretty much after we iced it after the game.”

The talented freshman guard had another effective performance before exiting for the final two-plus minutes. He made 3 of 4 shots, finished with nine points, including seven in the second half, and three rebounds.

Bell didn’t wear a sleeve or brace on Monday.

Center Robert Sacre, who tweaked his neck in a loose-ball scramble early in the second half, also practiced full speed.

“I got a little work on it (Sunday). I’ll be fine,” Sacre said.