Elk Grove Boy Who Died On Basketball Court Didn't Have Physical
By Kelly Ryan
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A 12-year-old boy who collapsed and died during a basketball practice did not have a physical prior to joining the private league.
Aaron Nguyen was part of a league that didn't require physicals, something it has in common with many leagues and school teams in the Sacramento area.
The Elk Grove Unified School District says the seventh-grader collapsed on Friday night during basketball practice, complaining of pain in his right leg. His heart stopped and he wasn't breathing. Despite CPR and other emergency efforts, he was not revived.
Nguyen was a member of a 12-and-under American Athletic Union team based in Elk Grove. The AAU says it does not require its members to have a physical to participate.
The school district says it usually is a requirement for students to get a physical to participate in its campus sports programs.
While it's not known what caused Nguyen's death, Dr. Daniel McCrimmons says a simple physical wouldn't catch warning signs of cardiac problems. However, questions about family history or previous episodes of fainting or dizziness may have helped.
"Answering these questions that are very simple to answer will provide an alert," he said.
The AAU says isn't not against physicals, but believes parents know best when one is needed.
