ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell guard Khaliq Gant remained
hospitalized Sunday, five days after severely injuring his neck
during practice.
The sophomore injured his neck during practice after reportedly
colliding with several teammates during a scramble for a loose ball
Tuesday. He was airlifted to Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira
and had surgery Friday.
Arnot Ogden officials said Sunday they could not comment on the
extent of Gant's injuries, confirming only that he remained
hospitalized.
Gant had retained sensation in his extremities and teammates who
visited him before his surgery said his spirits were good despite
not being able to move, according to the Ithaca Journal.
"He's doing good, still cracking jokes at us. He's got a great
spirit about it," senior forward Ryan Rourke told the newspaper
after seeing Gant Wednesday. "He's planning on coming back full
strength. It's just a matter of time, and we're all here behind
him."
Cornell defeated Columbia 81-59 on Saturday, and teammates wore
Gant's No. 21 on their jerseys.
Gant has appeared in all 17 games this season for the Big Red
(7-11), averaging 14.4 minutes, 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds.
He was a Boston All-Metro selection at Marion-Tabor Academy and
a Street & Smith high honorable mention All-American.