Serbia power forward Borisa Simanic sustained a serious internal injury during their final group stage game against South Sudan last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.
While the Serbians won the game, 115-83, Simanic lost a vital body organ after being elbowed by South Sudanese forward Nuni Omot with less than two minutes remaining in the lopsided game.
Ormot struck the 25-year-old with his left elbow in the kidney area while posting up inside the paint for a layup, which he scored.
While an initial statement by the Serbian Basketball Federation (KSS) said that the kidney and all its functions were preserved, a new report states otherwise.
According to Telegraf, Simanic lost one kidney due to the incident as he underwent surgery in Manila, and it is unclear how this development will affect his career and overall health.
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Nuni Omot responds
Omot, the 28-year-old who delivered the elbow to Simanic, broke his silence on the incident.
"I heard that he ended up going to the hospital. My apologies, I didn't mean to make no type of a dirty play. I hope you have a speedy recovery. I pray for you, you'll be in my prayers," Omot said.
The South Sudanese player reiterated that he has never been a dirty player, and he sincerely apologized to everyone who was watching, especially the Serbian big man.
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