Wichita State won’t allow D.J. Bowles to play after collapse reveals heart condition
Wichita State point guard D.J. Bowles' basketball career could be over after the school announced it won't allow him to play basketball following the discovery of a heart condition.
Bowles collapsed during a workout with coaches and athletic trainers on Sept. 3 at Koch Arena and had to be revived through CPR and the use of a defibrillator, The Wichita Eagle reported. He has since undergone surgery at the Mayo Clinic to have an internal defibrillator implanted.
Wichita State also announced it will honor all four years of Bowles' scholarship, but Bowles has not said publicly whether he will accept the offer and thereby end his basketball career or if he might try to play elsewhere.
"Our main concern is the health and well-being of D.J. for the rest of his life,” athletic director Eric Sexton said in a press release. “He is an outstanding young man from a great family who has had a very traumatic 17 days. We hope that he will stay and complete his education at Wichita State, and have extended the commitment to honor his scholarship to he and his family.”
It's an understandable decision on the part of the school, which is right to put Bowles' health and safety ahead of any impact not having him could have on the basketball program. Considering how much information has been made public about Bowles' condition, it's difficult to see another school taking a chance and allowing him to play.
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