Florida Gulf Coast forward Filip Cvjeticanin to miss 2014-15 season

The Associated Press

Last Updated - Jul 1, 2014 11:40 EDT

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast forward Filip Cvjeticanin will have back surgery in Europe later this week and will miss the 2014-15 season.

Cvjeticanin will return to FGCU as a redshirt senior in 2015-16.

Cvjeticanin, a 6-foot-9 forward from Croatia, tied for the team lead with 55 made 3-pointers last season, and his 40-percent success rate from beyond the arc was 15 percent better than what he shot the previous season.

FGCU coach Joe Dooley says Cvjeticanin has been dealing with back issues for some time, leaving him unable to practice or lift weights. Dooley says the surgery "gives him some time to get stronger and continue to develop."