ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Emmanuel Negedu (nuh-GAY-doo) got a second chance at life after Tennessee’s medical staff revived him during a frightening training episode.
He got a second chance at playing college basketball after NCAA officials determined he would be eligible immediately this season at New Mexico.
Last summer, the Tennessee transfer learned from Lobos coach Steve Alford that he had been cleared to play. Negedu says he was so excited that he started jumping and screaming.
In September 2009, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward had just completed a Tennessee weightlifting session and was racing a teammate on the Vols’ indoor football field when he collapsed. He lost consciousness and had no pulse.
Athletic trainers used an external defibrillator and performed CPR to revive Negedu.
