Josh Eilert, Quinn Slazinski provide updates on Akok Akok after collapse vs. George Mason
A promising update emerged on West Virginia forward Akok Akok after he collapsed during Friday night’s charity scrimmage vs. George Mason. Akok was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital for further evaluation, the program said.
WVU forward Quinn Slazinski told reporters “all is well” with Akok and he has been texting with his teammates since leaving the game. Akok appeared to collapse during the second half of West Virginia’s 85-78 victory.
Slazinksi confirmed Akok is still being evaluated, but it sounds like he’s doing well.
“Akok, all is well,” Slazinski said, via Blue Gold Sports’ Wesley Shoemaker. “He’s admitted overnight and we’re super proud with him sticking with us. Everything should be good. Really freak accident.”
West Virginia interim head coach Josh Eilert then met with reporters and said Akok is “in a good place” after the incident.
“Found out good news,” Eilert said, via Shoemaker. “He’s stable, he’s responsive. He wanted to make sure he congratulated his teammates and he’s in a good place right now. They’re probably going to be holding him overnight and do some testing”
Akok was walking to the bench with 15:56 to play in the half and went down to the court, where he was tended to by the medical staff. According to The Voice of Motown, he attempted to get up, but remained on the court while the EMTs came out. He later left on a stretcher after the staff tended to him for some time, according to Metro News’ Greg Carey.
Akok is preparing for his first season with West Virginia after transferring from Georgetown. With the Hoyas last year, he averaged 6.5 points and 6.2 rebounds before entering the transfer portal and making his way to Morgantown.
West Virginia went through plenty of changes over the offseason
Akok was part of a loaded transfer class for West Virginia this year, which started under former coach Bob Huggins and largely stuck around after Josh Eilert took the reins. The Mountaineers brought in the best group of transfers in the country, according to the On3 College Basketball Team Transfer Portal Rankings, with eight players coming to town via the portal.
The headliner of the class is former Syracuse center Jesse Edwards, who came in as the No. 14-ranked player to hit the portal this cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. Former Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa wasn’t far behind him at No. 17.
Of course, the biggest change in Morgantown is the fact that Huggins is out and Eilert is in. The Hall of Famer resigned in light of a DUI arrest in June, and the university named Eilert the interim head coach for this season because of the timing.
West Virginia is set to open the 2023-24 season Nov. 6 against Missouri State. The Mountaineers were picked ninth in the Big 12 preseason poll earlier this month, and Edwards was named an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection.