Nets Only Draft Pick Injured

September 9, 1999 / 7:36 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Evan Eschmeyer, the New Jersey Nets' only draft pick, will be sidelined four months following an operation Thursday to repair a ruptured shoulder muscle.

Eschmeyer, 24, had his right pectoralis major muscle reattached by Dr. Russell Warren at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, the team said in a statement.

Warren said the operation was a success and that Eschmeyer will have to wait six weeks before beginning rehabilitation. The 34th overall pick won't be able to play until at least January, meaning he'll miss the first three months of the NBA season.

The Nets said Eschmeyer was injured training at home in Illinois on Aug. 27.

Eschmeyer averaged 19.6 points and 10.1 rebounds, 12th best in the nation, last season at Northwestern. He averaged 16.1 points and shot almost 60 percent from the field in his college career.

After undergoing surgery in 1993 after breaking his right foot, the center was sidelined for two seasons.