http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092600612.html Wizards' Rookie Andray Blatche Shot By Ivan Carter Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, September 26, 2005; 11:45 AM Washington Wizards rookie forward Andray Blatche is in serious but stable condition at Inova Fairfax Hospital after being shot in the chest early Sunday near his home in Alexandria, according to the Wizards. Blatche, 19, was shot as he rode in a car in the city's west end. Police said they are investigating the attack as a possible carjacking. The shooting occurred at 6:13 a.m. in the 5100 block of Knapp Place as Blatche was traveling home with two friends. Alexandria City police said the victim and his friends were followed by two masked men in a van and were approached by the men when they stopped the vehicle. One of the suspects had a gun and ordered the victim out of the car, police said, but the gunmen shot him in the upper body before he could exit. Blatche's friends drove him from Knapp Place to the 3500 block of Duke Street before they called 911. According to police, no arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing. Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld released the following statement early today: "We are aware of this situation. First and foremost, our primary concern is with Andray's well-being. The information we have received is that Andray was a victim of a carjacking. We have spoken to Andray and the doctors have informed us that he is in good condition and doing well. This is all the information that we have available at this time as this matter is under investigation." Blatche was selected by the Wizards in the second round of June's NBA draft, and he signed a two-year contract with the team. The 6-foot-11 Blatche played at South Kent Prep (Connecticut) last season and is from Syracuse, N.Y. His mother, Angela Oliver, told the Syracuse Post-Standard that the bullet missed her son's heart by an inch. "He's doing okay," she said Sunday night at the hospital. "He's breathing on his own. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs. He's been sedated, but he's been talking to me when he's come out of it." The Wizards open training camp Oct. 4 in Richmond, Va., and start the regular season Nov. 2 at Toronto.
From the title, I was expecting to see a video of him shooting a full court shot in practice or something. Too bad that wasn't the case, this is a terrible situation for him.
Update from syracuse.com Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Andray Blatche update Two days after bieng shot in an apparent carjacking attempt, Andray Blatche is not only sitting up in his hospital bed and eating, but he's also taking phone calls. I talked to the Syracuse native this morning and he sounded great. His improvement over the past two days is nothing short of remarkable. Just think that two days ago, the Washington Wizards rookie was shot in the early morning hours near his home in Alexandria, Va. The bullet narrowly missed his heart. He was helicoptered to a hospital. And now he's chatting on the phone. I'll have a complete story with my interview with Andray Blatche in Wednesday's Post-Standard. Mike Waters mwaters@syracuse.com
Great news. I hope he fully recovers and has a great career. It would have been so tragic if he were never even able to step onto an NBA court. I hope they apprehend the shooters and throw the book at them.
More good news. Blatche has been released from the hospital. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2174281 WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards rookie Andray Blatche was released from the hospital Tuesday, two days after being shot in an attempted carjacking. "He is doing very well, and we are very encouraged by his progress," Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld said. The 19-year-old forward was shot once in the chest early Sunday morning while riding in a car near his home in Alexandria, Va. Blatche, from Connecticut's South Kent Prep School, was the 49th overall pick in this year's NBA draft. The Wizards open training camp next Tuesday in Richmond, Va. Regarding Blatche's status, Grunfeld said, "At this time it is too early to determine a timetable for his return to action."
Thats weird.. one article said that his friend drove him to the hospital the other article said he was helicoptered to the hospital..
That's ridiculous. Get shot in the chest Sunday night. Out of hospital by Tuesdau night/Wednesday morning. Crazy.
These days they get you out of the hospital as fast as they can, because apparently you're more susceptible to other complications there since there are so many other sick people around, etc. If you're able to leave, they'll push you out the door.
...actually, they get you out as soon as possible because it costs so much to keep a person in the hospital, and insurance companies are paying out less and less these days. Of course, the NBA players have excellent medical coverage, so I'm pretty sure money wasn't an issue. He probably got out fast because the bullet didn't hit any major organs
