Lakers' Sun Yue, fighting mono, is cleared to practice
LAKERS
Doctors say rookie guard Sun Yue is not contagious. But he still needs to regain strength and start building experience.
The Lakers' rookie guard Sun Yue has been cleared to practice with the team after doctors determined his mononucleosis was not contagious.
Sun, a second-round pick of the Lakers in 2007, will still battle fatigue but has been allowed to join the team at training camp.
"I'm feeling better," Sun said today. "The doctor said I've just recovered and still need a lot of time to rest, but I don't want to miss much in camp. So I've come here to see what I can do. I can run, but I still feel weak."
Sun, 22, who signed a two-year deal with the Lakers, practiced with the team during non-contact drills this morning.
The 6-foot-9 guard started for the Chinese national team in the Beijing Olympics but lacks NBA-level experience and is not expected to be a rotation player for the Lakers this season. He provided spurts of a distinct blend of height and ball-handling ability for China at the Olympics.
If he is unable to earn minutes as a Lakers backup, he could end up being sent down to the Lakers' Development League team, the D-Fenders.
mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
