He was quickly put on a flight that evening and was at the hospital by the following morning.īates has made a full recovery, most recently graduating from Butler University and working for the men’s basketball program under coach Thad Matta – the coach who recruited Bates-Diop to Ohio State. When his brother collapsed back home in Illinois, Bates-Diop had just gotten home from practice at Ohio State.

Ohio State Buckeyes: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardyīates-Diop’s efforts to both raise funds for AEDs and provide CPR certification courses have been borne out of his family’s personal situation. It happens a lot more than people realize.” We were fortunate that multiple people were there that knew how to use those two things immediately but a lot of people aren’t that lucky. “Let’s make sure it’s in a lot of places or every place has someone nearby who knows CPR. “Growing up, you see AEDs or certified trainers, but having those things actually be used in your life broadens the perspective,” Bates-Diop said. An AED and a prepared athletic trainer were responsible for saving the life of Bates-Diop’s younger brother, Kai, when he collapsed at a high school basketball practice in 2017. So while winning an award isn’t the reason Bates-Diop has been an advocate for this particular cause, it would help him continue to make a more significant impact. As one of 10 finalists for the NBA’s Bob Lanier Community Assist award, Bates-Diop has a chance to earn a $25,000 donation to the charity he has partnered with. Now there are two numbers that could lead to a much bigger one. Through his efforts as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, the Ohio State product can count off the number of automated external defibrillators he’s been able to purchase for places in need and the number of CPR classes sponsored that have increased the overall number of people certified in the lifesaving technique. There are some numbers that show the impact Keita Bates-Diop is making in his community.

Wormwood Summer by Kai Butler