Alabama State player dies after pickup game

The Alabama State basketball program was stunned late Wednesday when sophomore guard Deshean Porchea collapsed and died after playing in a pickup game on campus.

Porchea walked off the court after the game and collapsed. He never regained consciousness. A candlelight vigil was held on the Alabama State campus Thursday night to honor Porchea.

This incident is the latest in a long line of incidents where young, healthy athletes have collapsed and died after games or workouts. It would not surprise me at all to learn that Porchea had an enlarged heart, which led to his death. I’m not saying that is what happened, but many of the similar deaths were later determined to have been caused by an enlarged heart.

I’m not sure if it is feasible or not, but I believe that every college athlete should undergo some sort of testing to determine if they have an enlarged heart before they are allowed to participate in practices or games.

Even if that testing saves only one life, it is well worth it.