Blood clot sidelines Cavs' Varejao

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AFP) –

Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers pulls down a rebound at Bradley Center on November 3, 2012 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Varejao has a blood clot in his right lung and will miss the rest of the NBA season, the team said Monday.

Cleveland center Anderson Varejao has a blood clot in his right lung and will miss the rest of the NBA season, the team said Monday.

The stand-out rebounder from Brazil developed the clot on Thursday and was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic, where the nine-year professional was being treated with blood thinners.

He will remain on medication for about three months, but is expected to make a full recovery.

“Clearly our players’ health is our top concern and we are disappointed for Anderson and his family,” Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant said.

“We know what a competitor he is and how much he wants to be on the court helping his teammates. In the meantime, he has our full support and we look forward to welcoming him back as he recovers.”

Varejao was already sidelined with a torn muscle in his right leg that required surgery. He hasn’t played since December 19.

At the time of the injury, he was leading the league with an average of 14.4 rebounds per game and was scoring at a career-best 14.1 points per game.