Dwight O'Neill is practicing again

Dwight O'Neill's return adds some missing elements to the Fresno State men's basketball program. For a team suddenly improved defensively, he will only add to that effort. Plus, once his wrist is healthy, his dribble-drive efforts will double -- only Kevin Bell has the talent to do so now -- the number of Bulldog players proficient at such a maneuver.

O'Neil returns to 'Dogs practice
Gary Estwick
The Fresno Bee
2/02/08

Junior Dwight O'Neil, sidelined for nearly three months with a fractured right wrist, returned to Fresno State men's basketball practice Saturday morning.

Pending medical clearance early next week, O'Neil will return to game action Thursday as the Bulldogs host Utah State at the Save Mart Center.

"I think there's a possibility that he'll play," coach Steve Cleveland said.

O'Neil gives Fresno State (10-12, 3-5) depth on the perimeter, something it lost after sophomore Bryan Harvey was ruled academically ineligible for the spring. He also offers the Bulldogs -- losers of their last two games and four of their past five -- a shutdown defender who can rebound.

"His intensity is what we need the most," senior Kevin Bell said.

O'Neil said his wrist, still without its full flexibility, is about 60%. Still, if the decision was his alone, O'Neil said he would play Monday night against Louisiana Tech (3-15, 0-6) at the Save Mart Center.

"But that's just me," he said, half-joking.

While he continues to strengthen his shooting wrist, Cleveland is satisfied with O'Neil's defense and rebounding.

"If he makes a basket, it's great," Cleveland said. "That's a bonus right now..."

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