Kimble Has Heart Condition

Will Kimble, starting center for the Pepperdine men’s basketball team, has left the squad after being diagnosed with a heart condition that caused him to collapse during practice Tuesday, Wave assistant coach Gib Arnold said.

Arnold said Kimble told teammates and coaches Wednesday he probably would not play basketball again because of his condition, which Arnold described as a thickening of an artery that could be life-threatening if Kimble participates in rigorous exercise.

“Doctors told us he’s lucky to be alive,” Arnold said. “Usually when things like this happen, the person doesn’t wake up. We feel very fortunate that he’s still with us.”

Kimble, who could not be reached for comment, passed out at practice Tuesday and went into convulsions, Arnold said. Teammates noticed him laying face down near the base of a basket, where he had gone to sit.

He regained consciousness within a few minutes and was treated by a trainer before being taken to UCLA Medical Center, where he underwent tests and was examined by cardiologists, Arnold said.

Kimble was released and is spending the Thanksgiving holiday with his family in San Bernardino, Arnold said. Kimble, whose mother is a doctor, is expected to seek additional medical opinions.

Pepperdine players reacted emotionally Wednesday when told that Kimble was leaving the team.

“There were a lot of teary eyes,” Arnold said. “We’ll bounce back, but it’s a blow.”

Kimble, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound junior, was expected to be a key player for the Waves this season, his first as a starter.

“He’s our best low-post scorer and our best rebounder,” Arnold said. “He put up some good numbers in the off-season and in our exhibition games.”

Kimble had two points and six rebounds before fouling out Friday in a 95-81, season-opening loss in overtime to Bradley at Peoria, Ill.

He was a reliable reserve last season, when Pepperdine tied Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference regular-season title and reached the NCAA tournament. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds for the 22-9 Waves.

Arnold said until Tuesday, Kimble had never been diagnosed with a heart problem and had never passed out from playing basketball. He had passed all of his physicals.

Pepperdine Coach Paul Westphal could not be reached for comment. The Waves (0-1), considered the co-favorite in the WCC with No. 21-ranked Gonzaga, play Saturday at 7:30 against UC Irvine at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

Kimble was an All-San Andreas League selection as a senior at San Bernardino Pacific High in 2000. He averaged 15.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and four blocks.