The Grand Rapids Drive had their successful push for a fourth consecutive NBA G-League (formerly the NBA D-League) playoff berth tempered by an on-court scare when reserve guard Zeke Upshaw collapsed during a game Saturday night.
In the video above, Upshaw can be seen fighting over a defender’s screen near the top of the key around the one-second mark of the clip. The camera pans back up to capture on-ball action, and the next time Upshaw is seen on-camera, he's facedown and motionless.
“I immediately knew it was terrible because he wasn’t moving,” Drive public address announcer Eric Zane told Peter J. Wallner of MLive.com. “What was remarkable was how fast a lady came out—within 10 seconds—she came sprinting out there with a defibrillator.”
Upshaw was reportedly carried off-court by medical personnel, and the Detroit Pistons in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Drive confirmed via Twitter that Upshaw was taken to Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids.
STATEMENT: @grdrive releases update on Zeke Upshaw following collapse during game. https://t.co/THQqPJk7ut pic.twitter.com/1NS648vCca
The G-League serves as the NBA’s minor league, with each team affiliated with one or more NBA franchises. While Upshaw had not logged time in the NBA, there was an outpouring of support from fellow G-League players, NBA media members, and some players who have played in both leagues.
Prayers, good vibes, all of the above for my brother’s teammate @zeke_upshaw please.
Prayers up to my brother Zeke Upshaw.. hope he make it thru... had the pleasure to spend 5 months wit em!!
#BREAKING: Grand Rapids Drive (@grdrive) player @zeke_upshaw collapses at game. Source reports he was in cardiac arrest. Last reported to be in critical condition. @WOODTV pic.twitter.com/rqJNz9ab10
At least one outlet reported Upshaw’s collapse was the result of a cardiac arrest, but neither the Pistons nor the Grand Rapids Drive have provided any confirmation at press time.
