COLUMBIA — South Carolina forward Carlton Geathers had arthroscopic surgery on his injured right kneecap.

Gamecocks coach Frank Martin said Tuesday that Geathers had undergone the procedure because the injury was not healing as expected. Geathers had hurt himself in July and was expected to need at least six months to recover.

Martin said his 6-foot-10 sophomore had been running steps at the Colonial Life Arena, but trainers found he was not making the progress they expected. Martin said South Carolina will look into whether Geathers – a Carvers Bay High School product – can receive medical waiver from the NCAA to play an additional season since he had previously redshirted.

Geathers averaged less than eight minutes a game last season as a reserve.