Earnest Killum's death following his second stroke in six months was not caused by his decision to continue playing basketball, a doctor treating him said.
Killum, who suffered from a blood-clotting disorder, died Monday afternoon, three days after he collapsed at a hotel where the Oregon State team was staying.An autopsy was scheduled today, although results aren't expected to be available for some days.
Dr. Carl Orfuss, a neurologist at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital who treated Killum, said that his death was not related to playing basketball.
"It is the opinion of myself and all the physicians who treated Earnest here that he succumbed to a disease affecting the blood vessels and that his resumption of basketball in no way precipitated the terminal event," Orfuss said at a hastily called news conference at the hospital.
At least two of Killum's relatives died of a similar condition, Orfuss said.
The 20-year-old sophomore guard, who gained medical clearance to join the team less than a month ago, suffered his second stroke last Friday morning.
Killum appeared to be improving, but slipped into a coma early Sunday morning, team doctor Richard Cronk said. He was placed on a respirator after his condition worsened.
Orfuss said that after lapsing into a coma, Killum eventually lost all brain function.
Killum's father, who was among the family and friends at the hospital where his son was being treated, said that he thought his son was getting better.
"I saw him last month when they played Ohio State at Columbus. He talked to me (eight days ago); he felt so good, and I did, too," the elder Earnest Killum said. "He was going home to play against the Los Angeles schools and we both thought they had a chance to get one win or more."
But the elder Killum, a high school assistant principal in Atlanta, said he was glad that his son was now out of pain.
"I saw him last night (Sunday). I knew he heard me. He was unable to talk. I'm relieved because he's not suffering," said the elder Killum.