Oklahoma State does right thing for paralyzed recruit

Sporting News, The, Feb 9, 1998 by Tom Dienhart, Mike Huguenin

Kenyana Tolbert wasn't an all-world recruit; he wasn't a blue-chipper. Instead, Tolbert was a solid midlevel prospect who had an upside because of his athleticism and work ethic.

Unfortunately, we're using the word "was" because Tolbert was paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle in a high school game November 7. And although there can be no happy ending to this kind of story, there is an element of goodness because Tolbert is receiving a scholarship from Oklahoma State.

Tolbert, from North Little Rock (Ark.) High, was injure on the first play of his final regular-season high school game, against archrival Little Rock Parkview. Parkview tailback Willie Hicks ran a counter to the left side, and Tolbert -- a 6-2, 183-pound safety -- came up to make the tackle. Hicks moved a bit to the right as Tolbert approached, and Tolbert hit Hicks just above the left hip. Tolbert then collapsed after fracturing two vertebra (C-2 and C-3) in his neck.

Tolbert had given an oral commitment September 15 to Oklahoma State, where he also planned to play basketball. To its credit, Oklahoma State decided to honor the scholarship. Oklahoma State officials don't know when Tolbert will be able to enroll, but the offer is open-ended.

Tolbert had given an oral commitment September 15 to Oklahoma State, where he also planned to play basketball. To its credit, Oklahoma State decided to honor the scholarship. Oklahoma officials don't know when Tolbert will be able to enroll, but the offer is open-ended.

Tolbert is in the Baylor Rehabilitation Institute in Dallas and remains on a ventilator. He isn't likely to walk again; a North Little Rock doctor said Tolbert would need "a miracle" to regain lost body functions.

"He is probably as decided a player as I ever had," says North Little Rock football coach John Narkinsky, who has been at the school for 33 years. "There are faster and bigger players, but when choosing sides, you'd pick Kenyana first."

Narkinsky says Tolbert strived to meet all his goals and had a strong work ethic. Tolbert told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that he learned about hard work from his mother, Amanda Gupton, who worked two full-time jobs as a nurse's assistant before she had to go to Dallas to be with her son.

The city has rallied around Tolbert, and a trust fund was established to help defray some of the expenses. The medical bills are being paid by various insurance policies. To make a donation, write to the Kenyana Tolbert Trust Fund c/o Mercantile Bank, P.O. Box 15008, Little Rock, AR 72231.

Lest you forget ...

As you peruse the list of players signed by your favorite school this week, here are some names to keep in mind: Nebraska Baker, Bo Barzilauskas, Marlin Carey, Mike Flaar, Robert Hammond, Damian Hill, Eric Kasperowicz, Will Lyell, Maurice Mebane, Ceaser O'Neal and Terry Scott.

No, these guys aren't sleeper recruits this season. Instead, they're prime examples of what a crapshoot "recruiting analysis" can be: These are some of the guys who have been name Parade All-Americans and/or USA Today All-Americans since 1992 and haven't panned out in college.

So, while you rejoice over the signing of a Justin Fargas or a Tyler Watts or a Shamar Finney, remember that folks celebrated the signatures of Barzilauskas, Flaar, Hammond, et al., too.

Must be the shoes

The pressure on Ronald Curry is mounting. An incredibly talented quarterback/point guard from Hampton, Va., Curry gave an oral commitment to Virginia in September, but rumors are flying. He's getting advice from many corners: "Stick with UVa, Ronald." "Go to North Carolina and just play hoops." "Head to Florida State and be the next Charlie Ward."

All are good options, but his decision may be swayed by Nike, which sponsors his AAU basketball team. That's bad news for Virginia, a Reebok school. North Carolina is a Nike school, which has led to speculation that Curry will be swooshed off to Chapel Hill and draped in Tar Heel blue.