Flo Hyman led the US women's volleyball team to Olympic silver medal. She had undiagnosed Marfan. She dropped dead of a heart attack when she was 32. Marfan syndrome caused an aortic dissection she was unaware of.
So that's why he can't play. Not in college, not in NBA, not in Europe. Because it could kill him. Bummer.
I remember that. There was an article in (I think) Sports Illustrated at the time. About that same time, there was another athlete, a college basketball player (can't remember his name) that dropped dead during a pick up game when his aorta burst.
This is a genetic condition, not an injury. It's fortunate there is now a way to test for this. Marfan's Syndrome can lead to a thinning of the walls of the aorta and when the aorta ruptures, death is immediate.
While his playing days are over, I found this quote from the article encouraging:
"This is devastating news, but Isaiah has the best support system anyone could ask for, and he knows that all of Baylor Nation is behind him," head coach Scott Drew said. "His health is the most important thing, and while it's extremely sad that he won't be able to play in the NBA, our hope is that he'll return to Baylor to complete his degree and serve as a coach in our program."
I don't follow college basketball closely, but I've heard of Isaiah Austin and knew he was projected to be a lottery pick. He's the nephew of former NBA center Isaac Austin.
BNM
