HoopsHype.com Rumors

"Wilcox has long had an aortic abnormality that remained stable throughout his 10-year NBA career. However, as a precautionary measure, the Celtics medical staff scheduled frequent aortic scans for Wilcox, and a recent scan showed a significant enlargement of his aorta. After several follow-up tests, doctors recommended surgery. " 'While we are saddened that Chris will not be able to play again this season, the most important thing is his health, and we were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Chris’s case,' said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. 'The entire Celtics family supports Chris during this difficult time in his career.' "At Chris’s request, neither Chris nor the Celtics will have any additional comment at this time." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

The Celtics received bad news regarding forward Chris Wilcox, who will have aortic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on March 29 and will miss the rest of the season. The surgery is expected to repair Wilcox's condition and he should be able to resume playing next season, the team said in a release. From the release: "Wilcox has long had an aortic abnormality that remained stable throughout his 10-year NBA career. However, as a precautionary measure, the Celtics medical staff scheduled frequent aortic scans for Wilcox, and a recent scan showed a significant enlargement of his aorta. After several follow-up tests, doctors recommended surgery." WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

Gary Washburn: It wasn't good news for Chris Wilcox, a source said the team has learned he won't be back this season #celtics Twitter

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

Doc Rivers literally shuddered to think that after losing Jeff Green for the season to an aortic aneurism and subsequent surgery, he may also lose Chris Wilcox to a heart-related issue. The Celtics coach said prior to today’s game against the Lakers that Wilcox, who has apparently been undergoing monthly checkups on his heart for the last four or five years, has experienced some kind of aggravation in what had previously been considered a predisposed condition. “He’s always had something, where he did it for the last four or five years in Detroit, where every month he had to have it checked,” said Rivers. “He never had a condition, but we all have things we’re a candidate for, but it was never a condition that was risky, and unfortunately now it may be. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

Major issues have struck again as backup forward Chris Wilcox will be out indefinitely after a routine monthly heart exam discovered a potential abnormality that will require more testing. A day after the team made that announcement, Celtics coach Doc Rivers did not sound optimistic about the possibilities of Wilcox returning soon. "It's not much I can say, they have a bunch of tests to run," he said before the Celtics faced the Lakers. "Obviously team-wise, it's a hell of a blow for us. It's not a great place. It's scary, it really is. You think about it, the chances of having one of these is pretty minute, the chances of having two (players with heart issues) is like impossible and there's a chance that may happen, so we just have to wait and see. "I always try to look at the human part of it, the fact that if something is wrong, I'd rather find it than not. So we're lucky, that's what I told our team, that's we're very lucky that this happened. Not unlucky. And that's the way I think you have to look at it." Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

“Next week, I don’t know where he’s going, but every time it seems to be to Cleveland,” Rivers said of the Cleveland Clinic, where Green was examined and ultimately had his surgery. “But I don’t think we’ll know for awhile — maybe another week. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

Celtics forward Chris Wilcox, who missed Friday night’s win against the Portland Trail Blazers after having what was described as a routine cardiac test, will have further tests done early this week, according to team president Danny Ainge. Wilcox, who might not have the tests done until Wednesday, is out indefinitely as the Celtics begin an eight-game road trip today with an afternoon game against the Lakers. According to a Celtics spokesman, team physician Brian McKeon will meet with Wilcox this week in Boston. “We’re waiting for more testing,” said Ainge, who added that he didn’t know why Wilcox had the initial tests, which reportedly were conducted by an independent physician. “We didn’t find out until after he went. “All I can say is that I hope this is nothing serious.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

One player who didn’t make it onto the floor was Chris Wilcox, a particularly unfortunate development, considering that the forward had a few explosive moments in Friday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls, including two big transition dunks off Rajon Rondo assists. The problem is that Wilcox, who already has missed time this season to a bruised shoulder, suffered a left calf injury Friday. According to Rivers, the injury likely will force Wilcox to miss the next “four or five” games. Too bad, considering that Rivers believes he is starting to see glimpses of the real Wilcox. “I had a long talk with him today, and I told him, what he did (against the Bulls) is what we should be seeing from him all the time,” Rivers said. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Chris Wilcox, Injuries 

Chris Forsberg: Danny Ainge notes the C's used their mini mid-level on Chris Wilcox. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Chris Wilcox 

Gary Washburn: Wilcox signed a one-year deal for what appears to be vets minimum #celtics Twitter

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Chris Wilcox 

The festivities for "Maryland Madness," the Maryland basketball version of midnight madness to kick off the college basketball season on Friday night, is coming together. Already, the alumni game was featuring four of the five starters from the Terps' 2002 NCAA championship team. Now, a couple other prominent former Terps will be involved. According to a team press release, Steve Francis, Eric Hayes and Jerrod Mustaf are also expected to be playing in the game, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Those two will join Juan Dixon, Steve Blake, Byron Mouton and Chris Wilcox. SB Nation

Chris Wilcox, Steve Blake, Juan Dixon, Steve Francis 

Chris Wilcox and Darnell Jackson have been offered to Caja Laboral (Spain). El Correo

Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Chris Wilcox, Caja Laboral, Spain, Darnell Jackson 

Wilcox has averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 26-for-33 (78.8 percent) from the field in his past four games. He is in the final year of a two-year contract with the Pistons, who have 12 games remaining in the regular season. "I just know these last games, I’ve got to go out and finish strong," he said. "I’ve got to go out and play hard and keep doing what I’m doing. Hopefully, I can leave a good impression on them when it is time for me to re-sign. I just want to be in a situation where I can grow and where I can help." Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Chris Wilcox 

Richard Hamilton and Chris Wilcox have been fined for missing shootaround without an excuse, but the Pistons are not planning a coaching change in the wake of the perceived mutiny against John Kuester, a person with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com Saturday. CBSSports.com

Detroit Pistons, Richard Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, John Kuester 

Hamilton and Wilcox apologized for missing shootaround. It was not clear Saturday whether the ill players -- McGrady and Prince -- or Wallace would be available for the Utah game. CBSSports.com

Detroit Pistons, Richard Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, John Kuester 

Sources say the alleged player boycott was actually a "perfect storm" that resulted in half of the team not showing up or showing up late. Tayshaun Prince and Tracy McGrady were both ill. Ben Wallace has a brother who was gravely ill and died Saturday. Wilcox overslept and Daye and Stuckey missed the team bus because the departure time was moved up from 11 to 10:30 a.m. ET. They have insisted to team officials they did not receive notification of the change. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Chris Wilcox, Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester 

A day after the trade deadline passed, half the Pistons players missed Friday morning's shootaround in what a team source called a "player protest." Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton and Chris Wilcox did not show up to Friday's morning shootaround. Ben Wallace also wasn't present, but has been dealing with an ongoing family matter for the past several weeks. Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Richard Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester 

Austin Daye and Rodney Stuckey showed up as shootaround ended, after the media was let in. They missed the team bus from the hotel to shootaround. Various Pistons players have had their share of issues with coach John Kuester this season, and many have been vocal — privately and publicly — in their criticism of the second-year coach. According to team spokesman Cletus Lewis, McGrady was out with a headache, Prince had the stomach flu, while Wilcox and Hamilton apparently missed the bus without a reason. A team source confirmed Prince's and McGrady's illnesses, adding Wilcox overslept. Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Richard Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester 

Kuester was unsure about how he might proceed for the team's 7 p.m. game Friday night against the 76ers. "We have some things … some excuses, not excuses, absences because of headaches and stuff like that," Kuester said. "We'll go with this group right now." Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Richard Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester 

One source, who asked not to be identified, said he didn’t know what the next step would be, and didn’t say who organized the absences. But he said it was an organized protest and discussed among the players. Some players, though, decided it was best to show up. Kuester said he would go with who was available in tonight’s game against the 76ers. It was uncertain whether the players who missed practice would be allowed or available to play. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Richard Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester