VCU NOTES: Kearse dealing with myopathy

Kearse dealing with myopathy

Coach Anthony Grant revealed what has kept sophomore forward Lance Kearse off the court the past three weeks: myopathy.

Myopathy is a neuromuscular disorder "in which the primary symptom is muscle weakness due to dysfunction of muscle fiber," according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

There are many types of myopathies. Grant said he was told by the Rams' medical staff that while most people use glucose in their body as energy, Kearse's body "doesn't use it the way it's supposed to be used. If he overextends himself, there's a potential he could break down muscle."

Asked if it was something Kearse would deal with the rest of the season, Grant said, "I think it's something he'll deal with the rest of his life."

Kearse missed four games before being cleared to enter the first half of Monday's 88-59 victory over UNC Wilmington. The 6-6, 232-pounder received a big ovation. He played 12 minutes, had eight points -- including a pair of 3-pointers -- and four rebounds.

"He talks about playing all the time," said Joey Rodriguez, Kearse's roommate. "Just seeing him out there playing and having fun and smiling and stuff, it was really nice."

Grant said Kearse and the Rams will "take it day by day and see where he goes from there."

"He's got a medical condition that does not allow him to have athletic activity on a regular basis or a consistent basis," Grant said. "For him to be able to go out . . . with extremely limited practice and extremely limited conditioning and be able to understand what . . . his role was, that speaks volumes for his basketball IQ, his toughness and his commitment to this team. I was very happy for him more than anything else just to be able to get out there and play."

Sanders a force

Larry Sanders is starting to become the inside offensive presence the Rams have lacked -- when he stays out of foul trouble. The 6-10 sophomore flashed some terrific post moves against Delaware and had eight points in the first half. He did not score in the second half before fouling out with 8:11 to play.

Sanders had 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against UNCW. In his past four games, he is averaging 15.3 points and 10 rebounds. That has raised his season averages to 9.7 and 6.6. He ranks ninth in Division I in blocked shots per game (2.9).

"We need Larry just to be consistent and stay on the floor more than anything else," Grant said. "He's still learning what he can and can't do from an offensive standpoint. For us, the most important thing is he's got to learn how to avoid putting himself in situations where he's fouling and having to sit the majority of the game. We're a better team when he's on the floor." -- Tim Pearrell