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Health A Concern For FSU Forward

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

Updated: 01/31/2008 12:12 am

TALLAHASSEE - On its official Web site, the Cleveland Clinic touts its reputation as one of the nation's top medical centers.

"America's No. 1 heart center 13 years in a row" - U.S. News & World Report

Less than a month after his 19th birthday, Florida State freshman Julian Vaughn had to make an unexpected trip to the Cleveland Clinic, spending two days there earlier this month for an extensive battery of tests. Vaughn played in FSU's first 14 games - starting seven - but the day before FSU opened Atlantic Coast Conference play at Georgia Tech on Dec. 30, the 6-foot-10 power forward was completely barred from any physical activity by FSU's coaching staff for medical concerns.

In the previous weeks, Vaughn felt overly fatigued and had trouble with his stamina during games, prompting concerns from the coaching staff.

"The well-being of our student-athletes is the most important thing for us to consider as coaches," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said a few days before Vaughn left for the Cleveland Clinic. "We are going to do a battery of tests on him from the best people we can find in the country."

Considered one of the nation's top recruits during his final season at Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, Vaughn led Oak Hill to a 40-1 record and the mythical national championship in the USA Today Super 25 final rankings last season. His arrival at FSU, coupled with the signing of 7-foot-1 center Solomon Alabi from Montverde Academy near Orlando, provided Hamilton with one of his best recruiting classes since taking over the Seminoles in 2002.

But a season that started with such high hopes - fans wondered if this was finally going to be the year the Noles returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade - has taken a wrong turn, highlighted by Alabi's season-ending leg surgery and the mystery surrounding Vaughn's health.

During a 15-day period when he wasn't allowed to push himself physically, Vaughn missed two games, receiving clearance from Cleveland Clinic doctors to return Jan. 12 at Clemson. Vaughn played only three minutes in the 97-85 double-overtime loss to Clemson, and was relieved afterward just to be back with the team.

"It's scary when they say you might not be able to play basketball anymore," Vaughn said. "They told me everything is OK and that I can play. I just want to get back and help my team."

However, since returning from his unknown health scare - Vaughn now refuses to discuss the situation, saying only "I've moved on" when asked about the experience or what doctors told him - he has not been much of a factor. In five games, Vaughn has scored only two points and grabbed nine rebounds, averaging 8.2 minutes per game.

He did offer a brief update on his conditioning prior to Saturday's loss to N.C. State.

"I'm getting back to where I was," he said. "I'm doing a lot of conditioning after practice so I can get back. I feel pretty good about where I am right now."

The Noles remain convinced Vaughn can still develop into a top-level college player despite the inauspicious start to his career. But since returning, he has looked out of shape and lost at times on the court trying to adapt to FSU's offensive system.

"He can be a tremendous player," senior guard Ralph Mims said. "With his 7-5 wingspan, and at 6-10, you can't teach that. With his footwork and talent, and his 15- to 18-foot jump shot, he can do it all. We just have to help him build his confidence."

Still, questions remain about Vaughn's health and future on the court.

Team doctors continue to monitor Vaughn daily as he attempts to get back in shape and make a contribution. With so many high-profile cases of young athletes dropping dead from heart arrhythmias such as Long QT Syndrome - Hank Gathers, Reggie Lewis and Yinka Dare are well-known basketball players to suffer such a fate - FSU isn't taking any chances, aware of past tragedies that possibly could have been prevented by a detailed heart examination.

"Early detection and proper treatment of patients can save lives," G. Michael Vincent, a leading cardiologist in the detection of the syndromes, said in his report. "If a child, teenager or young adult suffers a blackout without an obvious cause, especially if it was precipitated by exercise, swimming or emotional distress, I recommend asking the doctor about cardiac arrhythmias."

FSU is prevented from giving specifics about Vaughn's condition due to privacy and doctor-patient confidentiality laws.

Hamilton will only say that under the circumstances and with what they know, Vaughn is expected to regain his conditioning and have a normal career.

"The good news is that at this point, it appears that he can continue to keep playing," Hamilton said. "Obviously, it's going to require some monitoring to make sure nothing changes. With any type of medical issue that has to do with stamina and those types of things, it's not something you don't stay on top of and continue to monitor.

"He's had the best examinations we can find, and we're comfortable that he's on the road to recovery."

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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