Turiaf’s Surgery Goes Well

Laker draft pick Ronny Turiaf underwent successful open-heart surgery Tuesday at Stanford University Medical Center.

Turiaf, 22, will sit out next season as part of his recovery from a six-hour procedure to repair an enlarged aortic root, the beginning part of the body’s largest artery, the aorta. Turiaf’s aortic valve was functioning normally and did not need to be replaced, part of the reason for a positive prognosis.

Turiaf, drafted in the second round from Gonzaga, is expected to make a full recovery as far as daily activities for a typical person. His future as an NBA player remains uncertain.