The career of Virginia point guard Majestic Mapp has taken twists that could have never been plotted on an itinerary.
Mapp, a redshirt junior, said the recovery from four surgeries on his right knee during a 15-month span was anything but easy.
"The hardest part was just watching the team play every day," he said. "I never missed a practice and never missed a game (before the injury), and it was really hard to just go on watching."
The Harlem, N.Y. native is a former McDonald's All-American and was the heir apparent to the starting point guard position following the 1999-2000 season. But an injury in August of 2000 requiring surgery on his right anterior cruciate ligament derailed those plans.
Mapp underwent more procedures in March and August of 2001 to clear loose bodies from the knee as well. In October of 2001, doctors told Mapp the knee was not progressing properly and a second ACL surgery was required.
Mapp said the second ACL surgery was the toughest to endure.
"It was crushing to have the ACL done all over again," Mapp said. "Once you get it done, you think you won't have to worry about it anymore."
Virginia coach Pete Gillen often was a counselor for Mapp.
"A lot of times his emotions went up and down - optimistic then ready to pack it in," Gillen said. "(I told him) get a great education, if you come back next year work on getting stuff towards your masters. Basketball is not your whole life so don't give up even though a lot of people would have.
"The fact he has the courage to get out and try and participate is a tribute to his courage."
Now fast forward from October 2001 to Jan. 11, 2003. With doctors declaring the knee structurally sound, Mapp took the court in Charlottesville with seven minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the first half against North Carolina - his first time on the court in 1,032 days.
Mapp said the support of those around him helped him get back on the court that night.
"It was great because the coaches were supportive of me," Mapp said. "The crowd gave me a standing ovation; they understood what I had to go through to get back out there."
Gillen said he was hesitant to put Mapp back on the floor at first.
"He said 'I'm fine, I'm fine coach,'" Gillen said. "We don't worry as much about it, but we're still keeping our fingers crossed."
Cavaliers center Jason Rogers, who was Mapp's roommate in the 1999-2000 season, said the guard's return had a stabilizing effect on the court.
"It definitely shows that he has a determination for the success of our team," Rogers said. "It lets us know that he's been through hell and high water, showing us if he can make it back, we can fight it out and battle throughout."
Mapp has looked majestic at times in the early portions of his comeback, contributing 11 points in a win at No. 8 Maryland. Mapp will apply for a fifth and sixth season of eligibility from the NCAA and attend graduate school at Virginia.
"I'm not satisfied, I'm just getting started," Mapp said. "I feel like in a sense it's my sophomore year, provided the NCAA lets me."
The Majestic Mapp File
The point guard from Harlem, New York had four knee surgeries in 15 months, followed by intense rehabilitation before returning to the court Jan. 11, 2003 in Charlottesville against North Carolina.
August 2000, Mapp first injures the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and has reconstructive surgery
March 2001, Mapp has the knee cleaned of loose fragments and bodies
August 2001, Mapp once again has the knee cleared out
October 2001, after doctors rule the knee is not progressing properly, a second ACL surgery is performed.
Mapp, whose brother Scientific Mapp played basketball for Florida A&M, said his parents, Elizabeth and Edward, were just creative when they named their kids.
"I catch flack, when you go away the other fans try to make fun of it, but a lot of people love it," Mapp said. "I just do my best to live up to my name, it's just a great name that attracts attention.
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Chris Littmann
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Virginia's Todd Billet (22) drives to the basket past Wake Forest's Eric Williams in the second half at Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem N.C. on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003. Billet had 25 points in their 75-71 loss to Wake.
