By Bermie Wison
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego State forward Dwayne Polee II collapsed on the court during San Diego State’s game against UC Riverside on Monday night and was tended to by a paramedic for several minutes before being taken off on a gurney.
The crowd at Viejas Arena, hushed while Polee was down, gave Polee a standing ovation as he was lifted onto the gurney. Polee was conscious as he was wheeled off the court. His teammates came over and gave him fist-bumps. Polee pumped his fists toward the crowd.
SDSU officials didn’t immediately know what happened. A spokesman said Polee was “completely responsive” as he was taken to a hospital.
Polee had missed a layup and teammate JJ O’Brien scored on a tip-in for a 14-8 lead with more than 11 minutes left in the half. Polee turned and ran down the floor and collapsed face-first near the key opposite SDSU’s bench.
Right after he fell, someone in the crowd hollered, “Call 911!”
Polee’s father and mother came out of the stands to be near their son. His father, Dwayne Sr., is director of player development at the University of San Francisco.