The 6-7, 218-pounder Tennessee sophomore forward Emmanuel Negedu had finished a workout in the weight room and was leaving the complex with teammate Bobby Maze en route to a pick-up basketball game when he lost consciousness.
Emmanuel Negedu the Survivor
Negedu had gone through a more strenuous Monday morning workout and attended classes before returning to the UT weight room for a light session of upper-body strength training.
He did not complain of any pains, nor did he exhibit any warning signs before collapsing, according to witnesses.
He collapsed around 4:00 p.m. when according to university officials, his heart stopped beating.
Team trainers quickly retrieved a nearby automated external defibrillator and revived him.
Negedu, known to coaches, teammates and fans as “E-Man,” was conscious when he was transported to UT Medical Center.
He was undergoing an extensive battery of diagnostic tests and was to be held there overnight for observation, according to Vols’ associate athletic trainer Chad Newman.
Bruce Pearl, University of Tennessee Basketball Coach says “He is awake, he is alert and he is in very good spirits.”
