Ben Griskti, a player for the Adelaide 36ers, is currently recovering after experiencing a backboard accident during practice. The incident occurred last Saturday at the Australian Sports Arena in Canberra, where a dunk from another player led to a fracture in his 36-year-old vertebra.
This injury has sidelined Griskti as the National Basketball League season gets underway in Australia. It’s quite unfortunate timing, really.
During a team shootaround, the backboard collapsed unexpectedly, resulting in the injury just before a crucial game. A hospital was only a short drive away, yet it took about 90 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, which is concerning. An ACT Ambulance Services representative mentioned that there were multiple emergency calls at that time.
Despite the delay, Griskti was conscious and responsive throughout the situation. The team doctor provided initial care before the paramedics took over. Fortunately, the injury is not expected to require any surgical intervention. He has since returned home to manage the recovery process, although there’s no clear timeline for his return to the court.
The team has stated they will wait for further medical advice before determining the next steps in his treatment, which, I suppose, makes sense.
Interestingly, Griskti has communicated his intention to “come back soon,” and he’s thankful for the support he’s received during this challenging time. The league also expressed its sadness upon hearing the news of his injury, highlighting how interconnected and supportive the basketball community is, generally.
