Six months after he suffered cardiac arrest throughout a summer time exercise, USC is hopeful that freshman 7-footer Vince Iwuchukwu might make his long-awaited debut as quickly as this weekend.
Iwuchukwu’s standing stays unsure for Thursday’s dwelling assembly with Colorado, however a supply not approved to talk publicly concerning the matter advised The Times that the previous five-star prospect has “a chance” to return as early as this weekend. USC additionally performs Utah at dwelling on Saturday.
A top-25 recruit within the 2022 class, Iwuchukwu arrived at USC with the expectation of changing into the most recent in a line of star Trojans large males, following within the footsteps of Evan Mobley, Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu earlier than him.
But on July 1, Iwuchukwu collapsed throughout an off-the-cuff staff follow after struggling sudden cardiac arrest. He spent the subsequent a number of days within the hospital.
When he returned to USC, coach Andy Enfield made it clear that the staff would train excessive warning in dealing with Iwuchukwu’s return. Enfield indicated initially of the season that he was “very hopeful” the freshman would play in some unspecified time in the future throughout his first yr at USC.
“Vince had the issue this summer, and everyone rallied around him,” Enfield stated in November. “He bounced back very quickly. If you would’ve seen Vince, you’d never know he had an issue — shortly after it happened and now. He’s such a vibrant personality.”
How USC would possibly work within the 7-footer stays to be seen. But the truth that he’s capable of return in any respect, not to mention this early within the season, is definitely great information for Iwuchukwu and the Trojans.
