Clifton To Miss At Least A Month

Oct. 10, 2001

Clemson, S.C. — Clemson sophomore forward Dwon Clifton will miss at least a month as the result of a congenital cardiac abnormality, Clemson Head Coach Larry Shyatt said Wednesday. His status will be reevaluated after he undergoes several tests at area hospitals and at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.

Clifton had a fainting episode near the conclusion of an individual workout with Coach Shyatt last week. He was immediately taken to Redfern Health Center and examined by Dr. Byron Harder, Clemson’s team physician. He has been undergoing tests ever since.

On Wednesday afternoon he was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a condition that makes the heart take an abnormally long period of time in its repolarization process. “We have had Dwon undergo many brain and heart tests since the episode last week,” said Harder. “He will continue to undergo tests in the coming weeks and he will be away from basketball for at least a month.

“We will evaluate his status at that time. There is a high probability that he will not be able to play competitive college basketball again.”

“We are only concerned with Dwon’s longterm health at this time,” said Shyatt. “We have talked with Dwon and his family and will do whatever is best for him. I spoke with him today and he is feeling fine and is in great physical condition. In our preseason conditioning tests he rated among the best on the team, if not the best in every category.”

Clifton started 17 of Clemson’s 31 games last year. He and classmate Tony Stockman were the only Tigers to play in every game last year as freshmen. The 6-5 native of High Point, NC averaged 3.9 points and 2.6 assists per game a year ago. His top game was a 10-point, seven-rebound outing at North Carolina late in the year. He had a season high 12 rebounds against Washington in a tournament in Puerto Rico.