West Virginia forward Akok Akok collapses during preseason game and is hospitalized … but the Mountaineers coach said he is awake and in stable condition
- The fifth-grader collapsed at the start of the second round and was unable to get up afterward
- Akok was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital as the Mountaineers won 85-78
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In a frightening scene during a preseason college basketball game, West Virginia forward Akok Akok collapsed and was ultimately hospitalized but is believed to be in stable condition.
Akok, in his first season since transferring to WVU, went down early in the second half, immediately causing a hush in the Morgantown crowd.
Akok was unable to stand and was attended to by WVU medical staff for nearly fifteen minutes before he was placed in an ambulance and taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital, according to Schuyler Callihan of Mountaineers now.
West Virginia interim coach Josh Eilert gave an update on Akok’s condition on his radio show after his team earned the 85-78 victory.
“I was just informed by our medical staff,” Eilert said. “He is stable. He speaks. He’s in a good place. He wanted to wish the boys well and congratulate them. He’s in a good place. But they’ll monitor him overnight and do a lot of tests overnight to figure out what’s going on. That’s all I have.’
Akok Akok began his college career at Georgetown University before transferring to UConn
Akok started 31 games for the Hoyas and averaged 6.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game
“It’s music to my ears that he’s doing well. “He’s such a good kid and a great teammate. I never thought I would have to experience this moment and deal with it. “It’s heartbreaking,” Eilert added.
Eilert also mentioned how George Mason head coach Tony Skinn left it up to him to decide whether play should resume after Akok’s collapse.
“I made sure the guys had a good headspace that was good enough to continue the game,” Eilert said. “It was important and they wanted to play, so we decided it was best to move on and try to turn the page around.”
Akok was born in Egypt and grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire. His college career began at Georgetown before transferring to UConn and then West Virginia. The 6-foot-10 forward started 31 games for the Hoyas and averaged 6.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
“Akok, everything is fine,” teammate Quinn Slazinski told reporters. “He was admitted overnight and we are very proud that he is staying with us.” Everything should be fine. Really crazy accident’
Proceeds from the exhibition game will go to West Virginia University Medicine Children’s Hospital.