USC basketball’s Vince Iwuchukwu poised to return six months after cardiac arrest

Six months after he suffered cardiac arrest throughout a summer season 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 house assembly with Colorado, however a supply not approved to talk publicly concerning the matter instructed The Instances that the previous five-star prospect has “an opportunity” to return as early as this weekend. USC additionally performs Utah at house 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 huge males, following within the footsteps of Evan Mobley, Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu earlier than him.

However on July 1, Iwuchukwu collapsed throughout a casual workforce follow after struggling sudden cardiac arrest. He spent the following a number of days within the hospital.

When he returned to USC, coach Andy Enfield made it clear that the workforce 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 problem this summer season, and everybody rallied round him,” Enfield stated in November. “He bounced again in a short time. Should you would’ve seen Vince, you’d by no means know he had a problem — shortly after it occurred and now. He’s such a vibrant character.”

How USC may work within the 7-footer stays to be seen. However the truth that he’s capable of return in any respect, not to mention this early within the season, is actually great information for Iwuchukwu and the Trojans.