kepdawg
06-20-2007, 12:51 AM
UT's prized recruit sidelined
12:15 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 20, 2007
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
E-mail chipbrown@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – The basketball future of Texas freshman power forward Gary Johnson, a top national recruit and an anticipated starter for the Longhorns in 2007-08, may be in jeopardy.
Zeke Smith, Johnson's coach at Aldine High School in Houston, said Tuesday night that Johnson has been diagnosed with a heart condition. Smith said Johnson has seen at least two different specialists over the last two weeks who have recommended that Johnson not play basketball for the immediate future.
"In high school, he didn't have any situations at all with his heart as far as breathing or fainting or anything like that," Smith said. "So I was shocked to learn about this."
Smith said Johnson hasn't lost hope that he'll be able to play again.
"They can go and do a test tomorrow that might show he can play," Smith said. "But we may not know the answer for months."
Texas released a statement Tuesday from UT basketball trainer Fred Burnett.
"At this point in time, Gary Johnson has not been cleared to participate in any physical activities at the University of Texas," Burnett said.
Smith received kidney and pancreas transplants two years ago at the age of 43.
"Being a Christian and seeing God work a miracle through me, Gary's definitely a believer in prayer and positive thinking," Smith said. "He understands God's will will be done."
Johnson and Texas coach Rick Barnes were not available to comment. Texas basketball spokesman Scott McConnell refused to discuss Johnson's condition. Johnson is currently enrolled in summer school at Texas.
Johnson (6-7, 225), the nation's eighth-rated power forward coming out of high school according to Scout.com, averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds last season at Aldine. His toughness, rebounding and inside scoring has been compared to former Texas standout P.J. Tucker, who was the Big 12 player of the year for the 2005-06 season.
12:15 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 20, 2007
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
E-mail chipbrown@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – The basketball future of Texas freshman power forward Gary Johnson, a top national recruit and an anticipated starter for the Longhorns in 2007-08, may be in jeopardy.
Zeke Smith, Johnson's coach at Aldine High School in Houston, said Tuesday night that Johnson has been diagnosed with a heart condition. Smith said Johnson has seen at least two different specialists over the last two weeks who have recommended that Johnson not play basketball for the immediate future.
"In high school, he didn't have any situations at all with his heart as far as breathing or fainting or anything like that," Smith said. "So I was shocked to learn about this."
Smith said Johnson hasn't lost hope that he'll be able to play again.
"They can go and do a test tomorrow that might show he can play," Smith said. "But we may not know the answer for months."
Texas released a statement Tuesday from UT basketball trainer Fred Burnett.
"At this point in time, Gary Johnson has not been cleared to participate in any physical activities at the University of Texas," Burnett said.
Smith received kidney and pancreas transplants two years ago at the age of 43.
"Being a Christian and seeing God work a miracle through me, Gary's definitely a believer in prayer and positive thinking," Smith said. "He understands God's will will be done."
Johnson and Texas coach Rick Barnes were not available to comment. Texas basketball spokesman Scott McConnell refused to discuss Johnson's condition. Johnson is currently enrolled in summer school at Texas.
Johnson (6-7, 225), the nation's eighth-rated power forward coming out of high school according to Scout.com, averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds last season at Aldine. His toughness, rebounding and inside scoring has been compared to former Texas standout P.J. Tucker, who was the Big 12 player of the year for the 2005-06 season.