This is a scene that has seemingly become more common in America over the past two years. On Saturday night, a young basketball player suddenly suffered a serious health scare while playing the sport he loves.
With approximately 13:13 left in the first half of a basketball contest between Old Dominion and Georgia Southern, an Old Dominion sophomore player named Imo Essien abruptly collapsed while playing defense. Essien appeared to be clutching his heart as lay down withering in pain.
Here is the story from Wavy 10 News:
“Members of the Old Dominion men’s basketball team watched in shock, and many held back tears, as their teammate Imo Essien had to be tended to by training staff from both ODU and Georgia Southern on Saturday.”
“Essien, a sophomore guard, appeared to become weak, then collapsed during play in the first half of the contest.”
“After a few tense moments, Essien, who did not appear to lose consciousness, was helped to his feet and walked off the court with the help of the trainers. “He was responsive throughout and was able to sit with team for the duration of the game and travel back with the team,” read a statement from ODU.”
Here is the video:
The ODU basketball team released this statement following the game:
“Imo Essien was evaluated by the ODU Athletic Training staff along with the GA Southern medical staff,” the school stated. “He was responsive throughout and was able to sit with the team for the duration of the game and drove home with the team.”
“He is in good spirits and will work with the ODU Sports Medicine Staff when they return to Norfolk,” the statement continued.
While no immediate cause for the collapse has been identified, The Gateway Pundit has written numerous cases about young people suffering similar health episodes. Some examples can be found here and here. Many of these individuals ended up passing away as a result.
We all need to pray Essien makes a full and complete recovery. At the same time, we also need to determine whether a common link exists with these sudden, serious medical events young people are enduring across America.
