Ashaolu plans return to Dukes next season

Shooting victim Sam Ashaolu, one of many basketball recruits brought in this season by first-year Duquesne University coach Ron Everhart, continues to work toward a return to the court.

It won't be this year, but Ashaolu's brother, John, a graduate assistant coach for the Dukes, insisted Tuesday that Sam Ashaolu intends to play in some capacity next season.

"It's hard for him not to be out there because he had his sights set on being a big part of the team this year," John Ashaolu said.

Sam Ashaolu, who suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and still has bullet fragments lodged in his brain, struggles with short-term memory, said his brother, who added that Sam is doing remarkably well with daily rehabilitation at Mercy Hospital.

"He knows now what has happened to him," John Ashaolu said. "He just wants to get on with things and get better."

While Sam Ashaolu is considered a member of the team, it isn't the same as putting on a uniform and physically contributing.

"But it's helping him to be going through his rehab so close to the school," John Ashaolu said. "He can be over here sometimes to be part of the team, and he's thinking he's just one of the guys who has an injury."

Four other players were affected by the Sept. 17 shootings near Palumbo Center, the home court for the Dukes. Ashaolu, by far, was the most seriously injured.

He was admitted in critical condition to the hospital's trauma unit. Since then, his condition has been upgraded to serious, and he was transferred Oct. 2 to the rehabilitation unit.

Last week, Sam Ashaolu attended two Duquesne practices but wasn't permitted to watch the Dukes' exhibition games against NCAA Division II opponents -- an 81-77 loss to Millersville on Wednesday and a 102-74 victory over Mercyhurst on Sunday.

Instead, he has been focused on a rehab routine at the hospital that consists of physical and speech therapy.

John Ashaolu said his wounded brother wakes up each day around 7 or 7:30 a.m., eats breakfast and begins workouts, which include emphasis on improving motor skills, using a treadmill and shooting a basketball.

He also reads books such as basketball media guides to identify his teammates and members of NBA teams and works with picture cards.

Following lunch he undergoes more physical therapy, including weight-training and endurance exercises.

Sam Ashaolu receives frequent visits at night from his coaches and teammates, and he plays video games for hand and eye coordination before eating dinner and watching TV.

John Ashaolu said his brother usually goes to bed around 9 or 10 p.m. before the process begins again in the morning.

Without a host of players who are nursing injuries related and nonrelated to the shootings, Duquesne might have only six scholarship players available for its season opener Monday night against visiting Youngstown State.

"We're all doing what we can to be in the best shape of our lives," said junior center Kieron Achara, who is questionable for the opener because of a lingering mid-foot sprain. "It's the only way we're going to be able to win some games."

The 6-foot-10 Achara was not one of the shooting victims, but his possible absence from the Duquesne lineup would mean the Dukes would open with a starting five that includes no player taller than 6-6.

"We're going to have to be creative, that's for sure," Everhart said.

Only one of the shooting victims, guard Aaron Jackson, is expected to play.

Jackson, a 6-2 sophomore guard who nearly produced a triple-double (12 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) in the exhibition victory over Mercyhurst, and Achara are the only players back from last season.

"It has been a setback. Obviously, it's been a major obstacle," Everhart said of Duquesne's preseason woes. "But I admire our guys for working hard like they've been doing."

Additional Information:

Mackall's selections

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review college basketball writer Dave Mackall has a vote in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. As part of that vote, he had a hand in selecting the Division I All-America preseason first team. The following is how Mackall voted:

G Ronald Steele Alabama

G Chris Lofton Tennessee

F Nick Fazekas Nevada

F Joakim Noah Florida

C Aaron Gray Pitt