Elliott should stay on the sidelines - Brief Article

Sporting News, The, Feb 7, 2000 by Sean Stewart

Though Sean Elliott has every right--and the blessings of his doctors--to come back and play in the NBA, he shouldn't return to the Spurs this season.

Elliott is only 32, not particularly "old" given the effectiveness of athletes such as Karl Malone, Rafael Palmeiro and Vinny Testaverde, who have had success well into their 30s.

None of these athletes, however, has tried to return from a kidney transplant. None of them has ever been a member of a championship team, either. Elliott has, and he also has had a basketball career filled with individual and team honors.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

When I was growing up in Tucson, Ariz., I was fortunate enough to see Elliott play basketball in high school and college. He was a Tucson rarity--he was a native of the city and he had stellar basketball skills (I fell into the more common categories of being a non-native hoopster with great hustle and no jump shot).

At the University of Arizona, Elliott became the first star of the Lute Olson era, helping lead the Wildcats to the school's first Final Four (1988). Elliott improved as a player in each of his four seasons at Arizona and became the best player in the nation in his senior year (1988-89), winning the Wooden Award.

A lottery pick of the Spurs in '89, Elliott continued his development in the NBA, earning All-Rookie second-team honors and garnering two All-Star selections with a career scoring average of 14.9 points per game. Elliott has played 598 of his 671 career regular-season games in a Spurs uniform--third most in team history, behind club legends David Robinson and George Gervin. While Elliott hasn't had a Hall of Fame career like Robinson and Gervin, he has had a nice run.

Elliott's return would be historic because no pro athlete has ever returned to the field, ice or court after a kidney transplant. Elliott's doctors say it is unlikely he would suffer an injury to his new kidney playing in the NBA.

But why not be extra cautious? Elliott just had his transplant on August 16--why not wait until next season to return?

Elliott has been given a second chance with his kidney transplant. Professionally, he has been given the opportunity to leave as a champion.

That is a precious commodity. Just ask Dan Marino or John Elway.

Sean Stewart is an associate editor for THE SPORTING NEWS.

Featured Download

Speak Like a CEO

Elliott should stay on the sidelines - Brief Article

Sporting News, The, Feb 7, 2000 by Sean Stewart

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Sports

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports