This is what almost happened to Carrington before the start of last season

[Halldan1]

Minnesota's Jarvis Johnson declared medically unable to play

• Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- One of Minnesota's top incoming freshmen has been denied medical clearance to play for the men's basketball team.

The university announced Monday that point guard Jarvis Johnson, who has a heart condition, will remain on scholarship and with the program. The Minneapolis native, however, won't be able to take the court with the rest of the Gophers this season, according to a joint statement from Johnson, his family and the athletic department.

"While we are extremely disappointed, the health and welfare of Jarvis is our highest priority. We are excited that Jarvis has decided to accept his scholarship to the U and will remain a part of the basketball program.

"Coach Pitino and his staff are looking forward to having Jarvis on campus, where he will get an outstanding college education while supporting the team in any way he can. Jarvis has dreamed of being a part of the Gopher basketball family; and we are happy that he will be," the statement said.

Team spokesman Dan Reisig declined to divulge details about Johnson's condition, citing medical privacy laws.

Coach Richard Pitino was unavailable for further comment.

"Jarvis is a tremendous young man, and we support him and look forward to having him here," Pitino said in a statement distributed by the school.

Johnson collapsed on the court during practice as an eighth-grader five years ago. He was diagnosed with a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes an excessive thickening of the muscle of the heart that makes it harder to pump blood. Doctors then estimated Johnson's heart stopped beating for as long as 10 minutes. He had a defibrillator implanted in his chest, allowing him to resume playing the following season.

The 6-foot-1 Johnson was the first Minnesota player signed by Pitino straight from high school. At De La Salle, Johnson helped lead the Islanders to four straight Class 3A state championships.

 

[Pirata]

That is the disease that claimed Hank Gathers 25 years ago.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...membering-hank-gathers-25th-anniversary-death

I was diagnosed this year as having it. Doc picked up a murmur and further testing found it. The research has come along way and they have found the gene that causes it. Knowing the gene allows for early diagnosis in children and even prenatal. I was told the most danger of death is for people 25 years or younger. At age 57, it is a not a threat to me other than having to abstain form extreme cardio activity.

It is more a matter of having family members gene tested to see who is carrying the gene.

I am surprised they are clearing anyone with the disease at that age to play.

 

[Shuathelete]

Wait so does Carrington have this?

 

[Hoya1987]

I also assume this is what Tyler Adams had although it was never publicly stated.

It's sad because some schools will allow these kids to play. I know Tyler could've transferred and played else where. There were schools willing to risk his health.

 

[Halldan1]

Wait so does Carrington have this?

Last year in August Carrington was shut down for three weeks while he went through an exhaustive battery of tests for a heart condition he had since he was a child.

The tests came back negative and Carrington was able to resume basketball activities. But for a while it was feared that he would never play a game for the Hall.

BTW, this was the incident that caused so much trouble on the board last year when Willard tweeted that he got great news and many thought it was about recruiting and not about the unknown to date Carrington situation.

 

[Shuathelete]

I remember that. Wasnt sure if he actually tested negative. thanks.

 

[statenman]

Obviously carrington didn't have the same diagnosis or prognosis as this player. Also Jarvis was playing with a defibrillator attached to his heart.
I think Dan was referring to the fact that there was s chance Carrington wouldn't be able to play if the tests revealed something different.

 

[statenman]

I sit on the board of directors of the Gift Of Life organization which takes young children in 3rd world countries who have life threatening heart conditions and bring them to the U.S for corrective surgeries. We cover the costs to bring volunteer doctors to those countries to screen and then pay for the surgery once here. It is more common in other countries because lack of proper nutrition by the mother greatly increase the chances. But it happens here for genetic and other reasons.

 

[Halldan1]

A worthy cause. Well done!