Tigers#1
09-13-2002, 02:52 PM
ATLANTA -- Atlanta Hawks forward DerMarr Johnson broke his neck in a car crash early Friday, an injury that is not life-threatening but could cause him to miss the season.
"A fraction of an inch one way or the other, and the doctor said it would have been very bad,'' Hawks general manager Pete Babcock said.
Johnson was scheduled for surgery Friday afternoon at Atlanta Medical Center, Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said, but could be released as early as Monday.
"In the long term, his prognosis is excellent,'' Triche said. "His playing status for the upcoming season is in question.''
Johnson, 22, and two other men were in Johnson's car when it crossed the center line, hit a tree and caught fire. It was not known who was driving, and no other cars were involved, police said.
Another men had serious internal injuries, and the third man sustained only minor injuries, Fulton County police Maj. Wenda Phifer said.
Johnson took part in voluntary workouts with his teammates Thursday at Philips Arena.
Johnson, a first-round draft pick in 2000 after only one year at Cincinnati, averaged 8.4 points in 72 games last season -- his second with the Hawks.
"A fraction of an inch one way or the other, and the doctor said it would have been very bad,'' Hawks general manager Pete Babcock said.
Johnson was scheduled for surgery Friday afternoon at Atlanta Medical Center, Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said, but could be released as early as Monday.
"In the long term, his prognosis is excellent,'' Triche said. "His playing status for the upcoming season is in question.''
Johnson, 22, and two other men were in Johnson's car when it crossed the center line, hit a tree and caught fire. It was not known who was driving, and no other cars were involved, police said.
Another men had serious internal injuries, and the third man sustained only minor injuries, Fulton County police Maj. Wenda Phifer said.
Johnson took part in voluntary workouts with his teammates Thursday at Philips Arena.
Johnson, a first-round draft pick in 2000 after only one year at Cincinnati, averaged 8.4 points in 72 games last season -- his second with the Hawks.