Dukes forward released from hospital

Duquesne forward Stuard Baldonado, one of five Dukes players shot early Sunday morning, was released Friday afternoon from Mercy Hospital.

Baldonado, a transfer from Miami Dade College, was wheeled out of the hospital accompanied by his aunt Ana Lucia, uncle Norbert Lucia, Duquesne men's basketball coach Ron Everhart and other members of the Dukes coaching staff. He plans to spend this weekend in Pittsburgh with family members.

"I want to thank everyone for their kind words and care, especially the staff at the hospital," Baldonado said in a statement released yesterday. "I'm feeling better each day.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my family and getting some home-cooked meals."

Baldonado, a native of San Andres, Columbia, was shot in the back and left arm. He was initially listed in serious condition but was upgraded to fair Monday.

A day later, he had a bullet removed from a patch of muscle just under the skin in his back. He was told by surgeons that the bullet missed his spinal column -- and almost certain paralysis -- by one-quarter of an inch.

Doctors also transplanted a vein from his groin to his left arm during reconstructive surgery.

Duquesne won't say whether Baldonado, 21, will miss the season, but back injuries similar to his typically take two-to-three months of rehabilitation.

The 6-foot-7 Baldonado is widely considered as the most promising of the 10 recruits brought in by Everhart during a massive rebuilding of a team that finished 3-24 last season.

"We're ecstatic to have Stuard out of the hospital," Everhart said in a statement yesterday. "I'm thankful to God that he pulled through and is well enough to go home this soon, especially when you consider how bad things could have been.

"We're blessed to have him back."

Additional Information:

Complete coverage

College Basketball Stories