Pearl: Negedu awaiting word on tests
September 30, 2009
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Tennessee forward Emmanuel Negedu’s doctors andguardians were reviewing medical tests to make decisions about his playingfuture, coach Bruce Pearl said Wednesday.
Negedu was revived by members of the Volunteers’ training staff after apost-workout collapse at the Tennessee training facilities on Monday. Tennesseestaff have not confirmed reports that the 20-year-old did not have a pulse aftercollapsing.
Pearl said doctors are reviewing whether the 6-foot-7, 218-pound sophomorefrom Kaduna, Nigeria, has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition blamed forthe sudden death of more than a hundred athletes each year.
Negedu was expected to remain at the University of Tennessee Medical Centerfor a third night, the coach said.
“I would ask that folks continue to pray for him as he is in no immediatecause for concern right now in the hospital, but obviously decisions are beingmade about his future,” Pearl said in a brief statement without takingquestions. “We would just ask that folks please stop speculating about what mayor may not happen.”
Negedu’s U.S. guardians, Frank and Alison Quirk, were in Knoxville onWednesday to be with Negedu and help make decisions about his future. The Quirkswere Negedu’s host family while he attended Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.
“When they get through all the tests and they make their analysis, thendecisions will be made about what is going to happen with Emmanuel immediatelyand what is going to happen with his future,” Pearl said.
As a freshman, Negedu played in 33 games, averaging 7.2 minutes, 1.9rebounds and 1.7 points per game.