Former Alabama guard Mikhail Torrance, who was on life support after sustaining a heart attack during a workout Aug. 20, walked without assistance for the first time Monday, giving his family and friends a jolt of optimism.Torrance was just moved from the Intensive Care Unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and into a private room Sunday when his condition was upgraded to stable.
Torrance, 21, still hasn't spoken, but he has been responding to commands from his doctors and family members, who have been by his side from the start, according to agent Happy Walters.
Torrance also has been able to eat, and he cried when he first saw his girlfriend.
"This is like a miracle,'' Walters said. "He recognizes people. He laughs. He shows emotion. These are all good signs. Things are coming back. Everyone is really encouraged right now.''
The family has declined interview requests. Walters said that Torrance had walked with assistance on Sunday.
Torrance, a four-year starter at Alabama, was expected to play professionally this season in Israel after signing a two-year contract. He was bypassed in the NBA Draft in June after an extensive physical exam raised concerns about a heart condition he has known about -- but considered not dangerous -- for years. He never missed a game at Alabama because of the condition.
A hospital spokesperson Monday would only confirm his condition had been upgraded to stable. "He's undergoing more treatment and therapy,'' the spokesperson said.
Torrance regained consciousness for the first time on Wednesday. He suffered the attack at the start of a workout at IMG Academy in Bradenton on Aug. 20, where he previously had been practicing for several days.
He suddenly collapsed on the court, where paramedics quickly arrived and began performing life-saving CPR after his heart had stopped. He was rushed first to one hospital, then soon transferred to another, where he has been ever since.
'Sopranos' Star Dies At Age 51
Obama Climate Change Strategy Coming Soon
Bernanke Rattles Markets
'Today' About To Undergo Another Overhaul
Murkowski Backs Gay Marriage
Paula Deen Allegedly Makes Racist Comments
Senators Scramble For Border Alternative
Michael Hastings Challenged And Infuriated Journalists, In Washington And Afghanistan
Is LinkedIn A Stalking Ground?
Tea Partiers Boo Marco Rubio On Immigration
Banks May Face Stricter Mortgage Measures After Big Settlement Fail
From Child Hero To Murder Suspect
Mobile App Allows Users To Report Racial Profiling
Sao Paulo, Rio Roll Back Transport Fare Hikes
Rape Charges Filed Against Navy Football Players
Ann Coulter's Terrible Advice For Winning The Latino Vote
Darden Restaurants Continues War Against Obamacare
Which Majors Have The Lowest Unemployment Rate?
Australian Women Post Breast Pics To Protest Sexism
Microsoft Completely Walks Back Xbox One Restrictions After Gamer Backlash
Abercrombie Failing To Show Fired Woman's Headscarf Hurt Sales: Report
HPV Vaccine Slashes Rate Of Infected Teen Girls
Warren Opposing Obama's Top Trade Nominee
BREAKING: New Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Of Homes
John Oliver To GOP: 'Go Back To Where You Came From'
Republicans Reject Signature Bush Law
Valerie Plame Rolls Eyes At Dick Cheney Calling Snowden A 'Traitor: 'The Irony!'
Rand Paul Says Someone Should Have Been Fired 9/11 Intelligence Failures
FBI Director: We Use Drones In The U.S.
Republicans Want To Drug Test Food Stamp Recipients
