Indiana State's Graves has heart surgery
MBB: The Sycamores' head coach is taking an indefinite leave of absence
Indiana State Athletics announced Monday that Head Coach Matthew Graves is taking an indefinite leave of absence as he recovers from triple bypass surgery.
Sycamore Associate Head Coach Mark Slessinger will be Indiana State’s Acting Head Coach as Graves is away from the team.
In a statement today, the school said Graves recently saw doctors after experiencing tightness in his chest. The medical team told the 50-year-old Graves he needed immediate heart surgery.
“I’m truly grateful for the incredible doctors at Union Health for helping my family and me through this process,” Graves said in a statement. “I look forward to rejoining the program in the near future. With Coach Slessinger’s experience as a former head coach, I have complete confidence in his leadership during my absence. Can’t wait to see everyone back in the Hulman Center, Go Sycamores!”
Slessinger won 171 in 14 years as the head coach at the University of New Orleans, leading the Privateers to the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
Graves is entering his second season as Indiana State’s head coach. He spent five years as the head coach at South Alabama from 2013-18. Indiana State will play their exhibition game at Butler, Graves’ alma mater, on October 29th. The Sycamores will then open the regular season November 3rd at Charlotte.