FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU men's basketball coach Michael Fly announced Monday morning that senior guard Haanif Cheatham will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
 
The leading scorer for the Eagles recently suffered a shoulder injury in practice that will force him to require season-ending surgery.
 
"Though I'm really frustrated for Haanif and our program, knowing his character and his competitive drive, he will be back on the court stronger than ever," Fly said. "I'm confident he'll have the opportunity to continue his career at a professional level when he is fully healthy. Haanif has our program's full support and his FGCU family will encourage him throughout the rehab process. Though he's only been at FGCU a short time, he has demonstrated our program's standard of toughness by playing with this lingering injury throughout the season."

Cheatham transferred to FGCU in January following a successful three-year stint at Marquette. He started the first 10 games of the season for the Eagles and was leading the team in scoring at 13.2 points per game. He was converting at a 45.4 percent shooting clip (49-for-108), while also posting per-game averages of 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals.
 
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native scored in double figures in eight of his 10 games for FGCU, including a 23-point explosion in a home victory over South Dakota State. He also hit the 20-point mark against Florida Atlantic.
 
UP NEXT
FGCU (4-8) returns home for the first time since Dec. 2 for a contest against Keiser at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. The game inside Alico Arena will be the first between the two programs.
 
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram. Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.
 
WE'VE GOT YOUR SEAT
Experience FGCU Basketball this season. The following ticket opportunities are on sale now:
•            Punch Pass
Three entries for $15 or seven entries for $30. Remaining Punch Pass Games: Men vs Colgate and Keiser; Women vs Johnson and Wales, Abilene Christian, Coppin State, and UAB. Purchase online HERE or call 239-590-7145.
•            Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets are available for all remaining home games. Discounts are available for current or former Military and Youth ages 3-15. Purchase online HERE or call 239-590-7145.
•            Group Sales
Bring your group of 20 or more to an FGCU Men's or Women's Basketball game. All group tickets include a $5 game day discount at The Boardwalk restaurant and in game group recognition. For more information on group outings, click HERE or call 239-590-7145.
•            Young Alumni
FGCU Alumni from the classes of 2014-2018 save 30-70% off of Priority 4 or 5 GA tickets. Click HERE to fill out an interest form, or call 239-590-7145 to learn more.
 
COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the fourth FGCU men's basketball head coach on April 5, 2018. He had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. In that time, he helped FGCU to a 155-86 record (.643 winning percentage), including six ASUN Tournament Final appearances, three NCAA Tournament victories, three ASUN Tournament titles and three ASUN Regular Season Championships, two berths in the NIT, a CIT appearance and a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He has coached a dozen all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, and two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant. Of the top-10 players in career points at FGCU, Fly has helped develop eight of them, including all-time leading scorer Thompson (1,835). Additionally, the Kentucky alumnus has coached both the ASUN all-time assists leader Brett Comer (845; 24th in NCAA history) and FGCU all-time leading rebounder Chase Fieler (714).
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 73 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11+ seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 34 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best 6th-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the Spring, 2018 and had an ASUN Conference and State of Florida best five teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours – being recognized as one of two runner-ups for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
 
-- FGCUATHLETICS.COM --