Submitted by SCAFoundation on Fri, 09/20/2013 - 12:00am

WICHITA, KS--D.J. Bowles has been denied medical clearance to return to athletic participation by the WSU-ICAA and the medical staff due to a cardiac condition, but has been extended an opportunity for Wichita State to honor all four years of his scholarship aid, Director of Athletics Eric Sexton announced today.

"Our main concern is the health and well-being of D.J. for the rest of his life," Sexton said. "He is an outstanding young man from a great family who has had a very traumatic 17 days. We hope that he will stay and complete his education at Wichita State, and have extended the commitment to honor his scholarship to he and his family."

After extensive tests in Wichita and at the Mayo Clinic, Bowles underwent surgery to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) installed on Thurs., Sept. 12, at the Mayo Clinic. 

The surgery was needed after Bowles collapsed Sept. 3 about 30 minutes into practice.

Men's basketball athletic trainer Todd Fagan and the athletic training staff used an AED (automatic external defibrillator), and CPR, before emergency medical personnel arrived and Bowles was transported to the ER.

Bowles is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound freshman guard from Chattanooga, Tenn., and played at Oldsmar Christian High School in Florida last season.

SOURCE: Wichita State University