USC reportedly had a major health scare during team workouts this summer that involved freshman forward Vince Iwuchukwu.

According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, the former 5-star big man suffered major heart failure and collapsed during an informal team practice on July 1 of this year. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for multiple days, according to CBS Sports.

“This past summer I had a sudden cardiac arrest during a workout,” Iwuchukwu wrote in a statement to CBS Sports. “Since the event, I have received optimal care from the university and my personal expert medical team. Currently, I am adhering to the standard protocol designed to ensure my health and safety. I’m feeling great and my recovery and rehabilitation remain positive.”

The incident had not previously been reported on. From Norlander’s report:

The university has withheld its prized freshman from all basketball-related activities since his health scare. The team began official preseason practices this week. With the exception of extremely limited exercises in recent weeks, Iwuchukwu has largely been reduced to a spectator over the past two-plus months. There is no timetable for a resolution on if or when he would be allowed to return and play for the Trojans, according to Iwuchukwu and his family.

Medical experts, in addition to others in positions of power at the university, are in the process of monitoring Iwuchukwu’s health and progress before determining if he’ll ever be allowed to play for the Trojans. 

A 7-foot center from Castaic (Calif.) Southern California Academy, Iwuchukwu signed with the Trojans back in November of last year. He was a 5-star prospect in the 2022 class and the 24th-ranked recruit in the country. With both forwards from last season’s team moving on — Chevez Goodwin and Isaiah Mobley — Iwuchukwu was expected to play a significant role for the Trojans in his first season with the program.

USC opens the 2022-23 season at home on Nov. 7 against Florida Gulf Coast.