USC freshman heart Vince Iwuchukwu makes collegiate debut after offseason cardiac arrest

USC freshman heart Vince Iwuchukwu made his collegiate debut Thursday evening after receiving medical clearanceprior to the Trojans’ 68-61 win in opposition to Colorado. He completed 0 for two from the ground in 5 minutes of motion, nevertheless it was a monumental event after Iwuchukwu’s future in basketball got here into query over the summer season when the top-30 prospect collapsed due to coronary heart failure throughout a exercise.

Iwuchukwu was rushed to a Los Angeles space hospital following his on-court collapse and remained hospitalized for days following the incident. Within the aftermath of Iwuchukwu’s medical episode, which was first reported by CBS Sports activities’ Matt Norlander, USC withheld the 7-footer from basketball-related actions till medical specialists might decide his future within the sport. Lastly, as USC ready for its seventeenth recreation of the season in opposition to the Buffaloes, Iwuchukwu acquired clearance for recreation motion.

Iwuchukwu was was ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 28 total participant within the 2022 recruiting class by 247Sports and thought of a five-star prospect within the 247Sports Composite. Initially, he was anticipated to be the newest in a protracted line of extremely touted large males to star for the Trojans below Tenth-year coach Andy Enfield.

However given the severity of what he went via over the summer season, suiting up in any respect marked a serious milestone for Iwuchukwu. The Trojans at the moment are 12-5 (4-2 Pac-12) after the win, and Iwuchukwu’s position ought to presumably solely improve as he will get acclimated to the school recreation after a protracted layoff.

As a prospect, he was considered a “household uncooked and mechanical large man” based on 247Sports recruiting analyst Brandon Jenkins. “The arrogance, power, and love for the sport are there however as soon as the sport slows down for him, we might see Iwuchukwu rework into an elite excessive main heart down the highway,” Jenkins wrote throughout Iwuchukwu’s recruitment.