The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Negedu collapsed shortly after 4PM on Monday at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex:

Negedu did not have a pulse when he was revived with a defibrillator at the scene by UT athletic training staff members.

He had regained consciousness and was alert when EMTs arrived to transport him to UT Medical Center by ambulance, according to a source in the Vols’ athletic community.

Negedu played in 33 games for Tennessee last season and averaged 1.9 ppg. He originally signed with Arizona, but was released from his Letter of Intent and chose the Volunteers over IU, Georgia Tech and Memphis. Negedu moved to the United States from Kaduna, Nigeria with Mark Adams’ A-Hope program. Inside the Hall would like to wish Negedu a speedy recovery.

Indiana has tremendous tradition and passion for basketball. The previous staff recruited Emmanuel, so he was familiar with the University, but it was a great chance for him to get to know Coach (Tom) Crean and hear about his style and track record of player development. They are rebuilding and would offer a shot at immediate playing time. He is very familiar with Bloomington, since he lived there and played for Indiana Elite. A few of his former teammates at IU definitely make it an attractive option. Emmanuel enjoyed getting to know Coach Crean. It’s very evident he’s a high-energy, upbeat coach who Emmanuel reports works non-stop…constant motion.

Indiana has tradition and passion for basketball? Who knew? I know some of you are waiting anxiously on a decision from Negedu, but all signs point to Tennessee or Memphis. Luckily we have Kyle Taber* back to hold down the paint.

{HT: Basketblog}

*For the record, Kyle Taber is a fine lad who I enjoy watching play basketball.

Update: It looks like Negedu’s other visits are as follows: Georgia Tech (June 8), Tennessee (June 10) and Memphis (June 12). In other words, a strong first impression better be in order if IU hopes to land Negedu.

Previously on Emmanuel Negedu:

• Breaking down Emmanuel Negedu’s possible destinations
• Negedu LOI decision coming today
• Maurice Sutton and Emmanuel Negedu

Georgia Tech: Paul Hewitt’s club loses Jeremis Smith (10.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) to graduation and Tech’s lone 2008 recruit is a point guard. Zack Peacock is their top returning big man in terms of scoring (9.9 ppg), but he didn’t start at all this past season. In other words, Negedu would likely step right in for the Yellow Jackets at the four spot.

Memphis: All five Memphis starters will be eligible for the NBA Draft (although Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have not signed with an agent) which means that John Calipari is in search of players to fill out his roster. Couple that with the fact that Calipari recently hired Josh Pastner (who recruited Negedu to Arizona) to anchor his recruiting and Memphis might be the school to beat.

Tennessee: Negedu considered the Vols strongly before pledging to Arizona back in April of 2007 and recently told Volquest.com that his relationship with the coaching staff is a big reason he’ll consider them again. His athleticism and versatility at the four spot would fit in nicely with Bruce Pearl’s system.

Indiana: With Brandon McGee’s departure on Thursday, there’s no question that IU has a spot for Negedu and he’s familiar with Bloomington having lived there before heading to Brewster Academy. Kelvin Sampson and staff did recruit Negedu, but the new staff has ground to make up as he has more familiarity with Pastner and the Tennessee staff. The big draw is the availability of playing time: Negedu would instantly become IU’s first option up front.

Analysis: If Crean and staff can convince Negedu that Indiana’s style of play will fit his game, the Hoosiers should run neck and neck with Memphis and Tennessee for his services. Winning a recruiting battle against John Calipari and Bruce Pearl is no small task, but Indiana can offer the most immediate playing time of the four schools which should be a huge selling point. Negedu will likely take visits before making a decision this summer.

• IU signs 7-footer, gets commitment from Hulls (Indianapolis Star)
• IU picks up Bloomington South guard (Indianapolis Star)
• Q & A with Jordan Hulls (Hoosiers Insider)
• Hulls picks IU (The Hoosier Scoop)
• Assist to Jordan Hulls’ neighbors (The Hoosier Scoop)
• The newest Hoosier: Tijan Jobe (The Hoosier Scoop)
• Hoosiers score JUCO big (Scout.com)
• Could Negedu follow Pastner to Memphis? (Tucson Citizen Wildcat Blog)
• They had to release him (CBS Sportsline)
• Bye bye Negedu? (Arizona Daily Star)
• IU offers scholarship to Central frosh (The Star Press)
• Villanova awaits word on late recruit (Philadelphia Daily News)

It seems Crean went after what was left of big men in both the high school (Maurice Sutton) and juco ranks (Jobe), and perhaps might find himself a bit handcuffed now as far as scholarships are involved if Emmanuel Negedu wants to bring his services to Bloomington. (Fingers crossed.)

Discuss the latest recruiting news amongst yourself in the comments.

Related:

• It’s official: Jobe a Hoosier (The Hoosier Scoop)

Updated: Justin Young of Rivals.com reports that Negedu will choose between Indiana, Tennesee, Georgia Tech and Memphis

According to a report in today’s Tucson Citizen, Arizona will make a decision on Emmanuel Negedu’s request for a release from his Letter of Intent:

Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood said that he and coach Lute Olson were in agreement over the decision.

“You just try to base decisions on the right thing to do. Regardless of what we do, we’re going to have the ‘nays’ and the ‘ayes.’ That’s part of the business. But everything we do is going to based on what is the right thing.”

This is where things could get interesting. If the release is granted, Indiana would certainly be interested in Negedu, who is a top 40 player in the 2008 class. Negedu played AAU with the Indiana Elite program and there are reports that his guardian is Mark Adams, who lives in Bloomington. Adams is a coach for Indiana Elite. Negedu is a native of Kaduna, Nigeria and played for Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire last season.

Here’s what his high school coach, Lewis Howard, told Adam Zagoria:

“He’s down to three. We’re going to know something later tonight or early in the morning. Villanova went great. He was just there for one day. He loved Indiana. Indiana was great, too.”

I’m still not sold on Sutton being much of an impact player next season, but the Hoosiers need interior depth and the big man from Maryland could be the best available talent left on the board. One person I talked to told me that Sutton would probably be about as far along in terms of development as Eli Holman, minus the defensive prowess.

Moving past Sutton, one piece of news that has generated quite a buzz is the possibility of Emmanuel Negedu getting a release from Arizona and Indiana making a play for his services. Negedu’s comments to Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline indicate that he wants out of his LOI, but so far, Lute Olsen isn’t biting:

“I do not picture myself at Arizona anymore. I told him I want my release. He told me ‘Come visit again and see if we can change your mind and make this better. But I do not need to visit again. I need a release. Nothing can make me change my mind from getting a release. I’m strong on my decision.”

Parrish mentions Tennessee and IU as possible suitors for Negedu in his article, but there’s nothing to discuss here unless Olsen obliges with his request for a release. Here’s a highlight reel of Negedu from YouTube.