Spring Break
The Daily OrangePaying the Price: Connecticut's A.J. Price arrived at college with intense hype. After a brain hemorrhage and a misdemeanor, Price returns
By Josh Friedman
Posted: 2/14/07, 10:58 PM EST Section: Sports
When A.J. Price was recruited by Connecticut, the Huskies had just won a national championship and had a roster that would produce five first-round NBA draft picks in the next two years.
It was a perfect opportunity for a freshman to come in and learn the ropes before the team would be his to lead. However, Price never found the chance to learn from those players. Instead, he had to face his own mortality and live with a costly mistake.
For two years, Price was away from the game he loved because of a life-threatening condition and misdemeanor charges. When UConn plays Syracuse on Saturday in the Carrier Dome (3:30 p.m., ABC), Price will be playing the Orange for only the second time.
"I came in when we were on top," Price said. "All the guys that were here are now gone, and I'm with a totally new group, lots of freshmen. It's very different for me and the program. For me, trying to be a leader after being away for a while. It definitely is tough; it makes it much tougher for me."
And Price wasn't just away from UConn basketball. He was away from the sport on all levels.
"My doctor didn't want me to do any strenuous activity, which included basketball," Price said.
Price's roller coaster started on Oct. 5, 2004, when he was rushed to the hospital because he suffered a brain hemorrhage, which was caused by an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a birth defect in his brain. Price was in critical condition for 10 days.
After two weeks in the hospital, Price was finally released. In interviews after the ordeal, Price said he was "just happy to be alive."
In February 2005, Price underwent radiation treatment and had to give up his freshman season.
What many didn't know is that Price was never going to play the 2005-06 season, either. He was only cleared to play last May.
Price was suspended for the 2005-06 academic year after he and former teammate Marcus Williams tried to sell stolen laptops. When Price was arrested on these charges, two of the laptops were found in his room.
It was a perfect opportunity for a freshman to come in and learn the ropes before the team would be his to lead. However, Price never found the chance to learn from those players. Instead, he had to face his own mortality and live with a costly mistake.
For two years, Price was away from the game he loved because of a life-threatening condition and misdemeanor charges. When UConn plays Syracuse on Saturday in the Carrier Dome (3:30 p.m., ABC), Price will be playing the Orange for only the second time.
"I came in when we were on top," Price said. "All the guys that were here are now gone, and I'm with a totally new group, lots of freshmen. It's very different for me and the program. For me, trying to be a leader after being away for a while. It definitely is tough; it makes it much tougher for me."
And Price wasn't just away from UConn basketball. He was away from the sport on all levels.
"My doctor didn't want me to do any strenuous activity, which included basketball," Price said.
Price's roller coaster started on Oct. 5, 2004, when he was rushed to the hospital because he suffered a brain hemorrhage, which was caused by an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a birth defect in his brain. Price was in critical condition for 10 days.
After two weeks in the hospital, Price was finally released. In interviews after the ordeal, Price said he was "just happy to be alive."
In February 2005, Price underwent radiation treatment and had to give up his freshman season.
What many didn't know is that Price was never going to play the 2005-06 season, either. He was only cleared to play last May.
Price was suspended for the 2005-06 academic year after he and former teammate Marcus Williams tried to sell stolen laptops. When Price was arrested on these charges, two of the laptops were found in his room.
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