Devon Williams’ playing career has come to an end following a scary collision on Sunday night.
Williams ran into a teammate awkwardly in New Mexico’s win over New Mexico State, a collision that left him with a neck injury severe enough that he lay motionless on the court for 10 minutes before being taken off on a stretcher. He was taken to a hospital in Las Cruces, N.M., where he was diagnosed with a bruised spinal cord.
The injury wasn’t what ended his career, however. While examining him, doctors diagnosed Williams with spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal cord. It’s the same condition that ended T.J. Ford’s career, and Williams is lucky this injury didn’t leave him paralyzed.
UNM head coach Craig Neal announced the findings on Wednesday night, after the Lobos’ win over Loyola-Chicago.
Williams started 30 games last season, averaging 6.7 points and 3.4 boards. He was the sixth-man this season.
New Mexico will be allowed to keep him on scholarship.