Men's Basketball: Injury Ends Patella's Career
December 01, 2004 03:32 PM | General
December 1, 2004
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| Patella |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia guard Nick Patella has suffered a career-ending concussion, Mountaineer head coach John Beilein announced today.
“First and foremost, we are extremely disappointed for Nick,” says Beilein. “Secondly, our team has lost an extremely talented student-athlete. This is a huge disappointment for everyone, but Nick’s health is the most important thing right now.”
The redshirt sophomore from Elkins, W.Va., will remain with the Mountaineer basketball program in some capacity for the rest of this season and possibly in the future while he completes his degree in business at WVU.
“We’re glad that Nick has chosen to remain with the program,” says Beilein. “He will be a great asset to his teammates. His knowledge, leadership and enthusiasm will help us reach our goals.”
Patella has suffered multiple concussions during his life, including one last Friday during practice at LSU. With the increasing severity, Patella and doctors arrived at the career-ending decision.
“When you work at something for so long and give it everything you have, giving up the sport you love is certainly a disappointment,” says Patella. “My health is the most important thing right now.”
Patella scored 30 points in 21 games as a freshman in 2002-03 before sitting out last season. During the 2004 European tour, he averaged 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds and scored a team-high 21 points against FC Baunach, a club team from Germany. Patella did not play in any of the Mountaineers’ first three games this season.
“For over two years I’ve been around these guys in the program,” adds Patella. “I’m grateful that I’ll still be around my teammates and be a part of Mountaineer basketball.”
