Indiana State men's basketball coach Matthew Graves has taken a leave of absence after learning he would need triple bypass surgery, the school announced Monday.

The 50-year-old recently visited a hospital for an evaluation after experiencing tightness in his chest, ISU said in a statement . Doctors determined he would need surgery.

Associate head coach Mark Slessinger will coach the Sycamores in Graves' absence. Slessinger coached New Orleans from 2012-24 before joining the ISU staff.

"I'm truly grateful for the incredible doctors at Union Health for helping my family and me through this process," Graves said. "I look forward to rejoining the program in the near future. With coach Slessinger's experience as a former head coach, I have complete confidence in his leadership during

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