Arizona freshman forward Daniel Batcho ran through the Wildcats' early pregame warmups Thursday evening at McKale Center, a sign his injured right knee has made significant progress.
A UA spokesman said it was part of Batcho's rehabilitation, which also includes light non-contact drill work on the side during practices, but offered no timeline for his return.
UA said on Nov. 5 that Batcho had surgery on his right knee in October and that he would not be reevaluated until late January. But based on the fact that Batcho was dunking, jogging and shooting his way through early pregame drills, a return might not be too far off.
A freshman from Paris, Batcho was expected to be the fourth or fifth player in the rotation for UA's two post spots but he could have been used heavily last Saturday at Washington State, when all four of the Wildcats' other big men ran into foul trouble. UA played freshman win Bennedict Mathurin heavily at power forward as a result.
Under normal circumstances, a player not coming back until midseason could opt to redshirt and preserve a year of eligibility, but the NCAA is not counting this season of eligibility for any winter sports athlete, so the Wildcats and Batcho have nothing to lose by playing him in any role.
Photos: University of Arizona vs USC, Pac 12 men's basketball
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC guard Isaiah White (5) celebrates after getting loose for an uncontested dunk as the Trojans pulled away from Arizona in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller makes a point to guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) during a second half huddle in their game against USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) gets double teamed by USC forward Max Agbonkpolo (23) and forward Evan Mobley (4) on his shot in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC forward Isaiah Mobley (3) drags down Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) as the two fight for a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC forward Chevez Goodwin (1) forces Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) to bounce his shot off the side of the backboard in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) tries to get off the awkward shot between USC guard Drew Peterson (13), left, and forward Max Agbonkpolo (23) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) stretches a leg with his Kyrie S2 "Best Of" shoes during a break in play against USC in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis blocks USC forward Max Agbonkpolo during last year's game. The Wildcats and Trojans could play this weekend as part of a reconfigured Pac-12 schedule.
University of Arizona vs USC
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New Arizona football coach Jedd Fisch, left, president Robert Robbins and athletic director Dave Heeke watch from among the cutouts in the stands as the Wildcats face USC in the second half of their Pac 12 basketball game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis tries to regain the handle after getting jostled by USC guard Drew Peterson in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center on Jan. 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC guard Drew Peterson (13) gets a handful of Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) on his shot from just outside the lane in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) gets a pass off around USC guard Drew Peterson (13) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) gathers his thoughts as the Wildcats line up for the opening tip against USC in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Daniel Batcho (1) throws down a dunk during the Wildcats warm ups before taking on USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) aims for a dunk as the Wildcats run through their pre-game drills before tipping off against USC in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) runs into USC forward Isaiah Mobley (3) trying to fight his way into the lane in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) can't quite get to the rebound past USC forward Evan Mobley (4) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) elbows his way along baseline past USC forward Chevez Goodwin (1) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) finds a seam between USC forward Evan Mobley (4), left, and guard Isaiah White (5) to get off a floater in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4), left, and USC forward Evan Mobley (4) get tied up fighting for an inlet pass in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
