Keita Bates-Diop is having a tremendous season for Ohio State so far, averaging 20 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, while leading the Buckeyes to a top-15 ranking.
During his four years at Ohio State, it has been a struggle both on and off the court for Bates-Diop. Last year, of course, he suffered an injury which kept him out for most of the season.
Off the court, however, it was a much bigger struggle: he almost lost his brother due to a heart attack suffered on the court during a practice.
Ohio State's @KBD_33 could have lost his brother, @kaibatesd.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 28, 2018
Luckily, there was an AED at the latter's high school gym.
Now the family is committed to making sure more schools have AEDs.
More @BTNJourney, fueled by @Gatorade https://t.co/luEDaoklH9 pic.twitter.com/mviWURNQ2H
Due to an OSU athletic training intern's quick thinking, Kai Bates-Diop was saved thanks to the help of an automated external defibrillator (AED). An AED helps diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, and is able to treat them with the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.
Keita was granted leave from the program, and missed a few games to return to Illinois and be with his family.
The Bates-Diop's have raised over $15,000 so far. They filmed a PSA back in October.
Donations can be mailed to: AEDs, c/o University High School, 500 W. Gregory, Campus Box 7100, Normal, IL 61790-7100.
