Belgrade, SERBIA-MONTENEGRO, March 2 (AP) - Detroit Pistons center Zeljko Rebraca said Monday he may have to quit basketball because of an irregular heartbeat that has kept him off court for over two months.
After experiencing breathing and other problems on Dec. 21 before a game against the New Jersey Nets, the Serb has been
going through limited practices, but did not feel ready to play.
Rebraca, 31, said he was thinking of undergoing heart surgery to eliminate the problem after consultations he had with American
and Italian doctors.
"The problem is that it is still unknown whether these operations leave consequences in five to ten years," said Rebraca, who
made a brief visit to Belgrade. "There is a risk."
This NBA season, Rebraca has started 12 of 26 games and averaged 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 16 minutes.
He was named Europe's MVP in 1999 while playing for Benetton in Italy. He also played for Partizan Belgrade and Panathinaikos
in Greece. He won one world and two European titles as a center on the Yugoslav national team.
