Negedu's return to basketball for smiles only

By Mike Griffith
Published Saturday, November 21, 2009

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands - Emmanuel Negedu's jersey was blue, not orange, and the half-speed drill lasted only 10 minutes.

But there hasn't been a more spiritual moment for the 10th-ranked Tennessee men's basketball team this season than when Negedu returned to the court Saturday for the first time with the scout team at Antilles High School.

"Just to see Emmanuel out there, and that smile of his,'' Tennessee point guard Bobby Maze said, "it just meant everything to me and everybody else.''

The sophomore suffered cardiac arrest in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex on Sept. 28 that required defibrillator revival.

The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Nigerian native has since had an ICD device implanted in his heart.

It's very likely Negedu will never play competitively again. But UT associate athletic trainer Chad Newman acknowledged Saturday was another step, psychologically if nothing else, in Negedu's return to a "normal" life.

"He's not cleared to do any real running, but he can help with the passing and plays in our walk-throughs,'' said Newman, who was on the spot to revive Negedu when the incident occurred. "We'll be doing more testing in December, and eventually he will be cleared to do more running and jogging. But it's not like he's going to go back to Knoxville and be a regular practice player.''

Prior to Saturday's workout, Negedu had been reduced to spectator at practices and head cheerleader at the games.

"I finally get to do something!'' Negedu said upon entering the high school gym. "This team is going to by hyped, man! I'm running some scout and getting some shots in, maybe even some dunks!''

Negedu missed the only shot he took during the workout, but he got a hug and shared a mutual smile from captain Tyler Smith after the play, anyway.

"The guys were obviously very happy to have Emmanuel out there with them,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said, his smile beaming. "It was a walk-through, but bringing him out there really brought us some energy.

"Emmanuel is in all of our hearts this season, and we know he'd give anything to be out there with us every night.''

UT assistant coach Steve Forbes, who recruited Negedu and sat at his bed side through two nights at the hospital after the incident, said Negedu never ceases to amaze him.

"He's one of the best kids, if not the best kid, I have ever recruited,'' Forbes said. "Look at him ... he's the best athlete on the team, and probably on our campus. He could still out-run any of them.

"The hardest thing I've ever had to do as a coach was be in that room when the doctors told him he couldn't play anymore. It was as hard as I've ever cried.''

No doubt, Negedu's unfortunate circumstance is all the more nonsensical when considering his immense physical attributes. Not only does he possess a 40-inch vertical leap, but he also ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash.

But as Forbes and many others close to the UT basketball family can attest, Negedu's gifts go beyond his athleticism.

"He has a lot more to give than basketball, and I think Emmanuel has realized that,'' Forbes said, "That's why he carries on with such an incredible attitude. He's an inspiration for our team every day.''

Negedu unleashed his contagious deep laugh when told how he has inspired UT's basketball community.

"I am glad, but I just like being with my teammates, getting them all hyped up, saying 'let's go, let's make this work every possession and treat it like the last play of the game,' '' he said. "I still feel like playing, but I know everything happens for a reason.

"It is all good, man.''