LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville forward Ellis Myles had surgery on his right knee Friday, leaving his basketball future is in doubt.

The 6-foot-8 junior, who was leading the Cardinals in rebounding at 7.9 a game and also was one of the team's best passers, won't play again this season and will need at least six months of rehabilitation.

Myles ruptured his right patella tendon while going for a rebound in Thursday night's loss to Marquette. The injury is so serious that Myles might never play college basketball again, coach Rick Pitino said.

"This is one of the worst injuries you can have,'' Pitino said.

Louisville sports information director Kenny Klein said Friday night that Dr. John Ellis, who performed the operation, was pleased with how it went. Ellis was able to repair the tendon with no complications, Klein said.

Myles had become one of Pitino's favorite players because of his work ethic and leadership. Losing him also worsens the 11th-ranked Cardinals' late-season swoon: They've lost four out of five games after a 17-game winning streak.

Myles was having one of his best games of the season when he got hurt Thursday night. He had 12 points and 11 rebounds when he crashed to the floor and started screaming. He left the court on a stretcher and was taken to the hospital.

"It's the type of person you are and how tough you are that determines how you come back from this type of an injury,'' Pitino said. "In that regard, Ellis has a lot going for himself, because he's a very tough kid.''

Louisville also is facing an NCAA inquiry of senior center Marvin Stone and his ties to an AAU team in the late 1990s. Stone practiced Friday, but his status for the rest of the season is uncertain.

"This is as much adversity for a team having a spectacular year as you could possibly have,'' Pitino said. play East Carolina (12-13, 3-11) on Saturday.