Georgia State Coach Tears Achilles Celebrating Tournament Berth
By Erik Matuszewski
(Bloomberg) -- Georgia State coach Ron Hunter said he tore his Achilles tendon while celebrating the school’s first trip to the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament in 14 years.
Hunter, 50, was injured as he leaped in the air as the clock expired in his team’s 38-36 victory over Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship. Hunter said he also tore his right Achilles while playing basketball when he was 26 years old and it was the exact same feeling.
“I hadn’t jumped that high in probably 26 years,” Hunter said at his post-game news conference. “I knew when I came down that I had done it, but instead of stopping right there, I wanted to go celebrate with my team.”
Hunter’s team features his son, Sun Belt Player of the Year R.J. Hunter, and former Louisville guard Kevin Ware, who during the 2013 NCAA tournament broke his leg in two places.
Hunter said he was embarrassed by his injury because it “takes away from what these kids have done.” It’s the third time Atlanta-based Georgia State has made the NCAA tournament and the first since 2001.
Hunter said the team doctor told him his foot would be placed in a cast and the Achilles tear would be repaired after the team’s postseason run ends.
“Nothing is going to keep me from going to the NCAA tournament with my guys and celebrating with them,” Hunter said. “The pain between 1 to 10 is about 17 but I’ve taken so many pills I don’t know if I’m feeling anything.”
