Two of Duquesne’s Wounded Players Remain Hospitalized: Less than two days after a gunman shot five Duquesne players, one Duke is still fighting for his life and another prepares for a long rehabilitation period. Sam Ashaolu, cousin of NBA legend Hakeen Olajuwon, remains in critical condition because a bullet shattered when it hit his head. Doctors upgraded Stuard Balbonado to fair condition after stabilizing him. One bullet struck Balbonado in the arm, requiring a vein transplant from his groin. Another bullet lodged in his lower back, missing his spinal column by only one-quarter of an inch. Doctors said that if the bullet had hit the spinal column, Balbonado almost certainly would have been paralyzed.
Recent transfer Kojo Mensah remains in the hospital to receive antibiotics after he was shot in the arm and shoulder. Fellow Dukes Shawn James and Aaron Jackson are OK, and the hospital released them this weekend.
The players have provided a few more details about the incident. The gunman apparently was incensed that his girlfriend showed the players attention with a larger group of women at the school dance. Jackson said no hostility erupted at the dance, which makes the incident all the more shocking. Police continue to search for the suspect. [9/18/06]
