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Monday, June 18, 2007
Bayer's career ends prematurely
Former Lehigh recruit Paul Bayer's plans to play at Olivet Nazarene have been scrapped after he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition.

Bayer, a 6-5 guard out of Moline, Ill., never got on the floor for the Mountain Hawks last season. Sidelined by severe shin splints in the preseason, Bayer ended up transferring to NAIA power Olivet Nazarene after the first semester.

Now he credits his injury (and others) with possibly saving his life after being diagnosed with what is being called a "rare structural defect in his heart."

Bayer told Quad Cities Online:
"I'm very thankful they found this ticking time-bomb in my body, and, by the grace of God, it never went off . . .

I could have ended up like Hank Gathers or Reggie Lewis and collapsed and died on a basketball court. So there are bigger tragedies in this world than never being able to play basketball again."
The report indicates Bayers is taking medication for the condition and hopes to avoid surgery. His playing days are likely over.

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Published at 5:53 AM by Hoop Time.
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