It took a little longer than everybody had hoped, but forward Luka Drca is almost ready to show new coach Jim Boylen what he can do.

"Good news," Boylen said.

Drca finally has been cleared for full contact, Boylen said, after having had surgery to repair the torn labrum in his shoulder that had bothered him throughout last season. The Utes had hoped the 6-foot-5 sophomore would be recovered in time to play during their exhibition tour of Australia earlier this month, but Drca needed more time and -- though he traveled with the team -- did not play on the trip.

His return will allow him to fully participate when the Utes will begin limited preseason workouts on Sept. 4.

Coaches are allowed to work on the court with groups of four players at a time for only two hours per week, and Boylen said he's eager to get at least a little better feel for what Drca can do in actual competition.

Even when the Utes were practicing in advance of their exhibition tour, Drca did not participate in anything but non-contact, mostly conditioning drills, leaving him as the only player about whose abilities Boylen remains uncertain.