Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall’s star scoring guard that was shot over Christmas, gave the New York Daily News an exclusive interview recapping the night’s events.
Talk about terrifying:Hazell, 24, says he was walking home from a friend’s Christmas party when the robbers approached.
“I just got to the front door of my building when these four dudes came up to me,” said Hazell, who has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left wrist in a game last month.
“One of them had a hand in his pocket and told me to sit down on this bench. I didn’t want to, and he said if I didn’t he was going to shoot me.”
Hazell said he pushed the robber in the chest - and made a real-life fast break.
He said he heard the thug squeeze off four shots as he bolted toward E. 105th St.
One of the slugs penetrated his side, just below his armpit, and then exited his body.
Hazell said that when he got to the corner of E. 105th St. and Park Ave., he flagged down a passing FDNY ambulance.
Needless to say, Hazell is lucky to be alive.
But he’s also got some stones on him. Four guys approached him, one had a gun, and demanded he sit down. Instead of cooperating, Hazell pushed the guy away and took off running? If that’s me, I’m throwing wallets, keys, phones, even my shoes at the guy before curling up in a ball and crying right there on the sidewalk.
If there is a silver lining here, its that Hazell is already out with a broken wrist. The shooting likely won’t cost him any playing time.
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.