Wolf Pack guard Hallice Cooke was playing a pickup basketball game this summer at the L.A. Fitness in New Jersey when, after scoring a bucket and running down court, he got lightheaded and passed out.
Cooke awoke a few seconds later and jumped right back into playing like nothing was wrong. This week, after a handful of doctor visits, Cooke found out something in fact was wrong. A growth on his heart has gotten to the point where, at age 21 and with a bright future, he has to give up basketball to protect his health.
While Cooke, who transferred to Nevada from Iowa State this summer after beginning his career at Oregon State, could be crushed by this news, he’s instead relieved.