Ball State University senior forward Anthony Newell spoke publicly Friday afternoon for the first time since his season-ending surgery to repair a compound fracture to his right tibia and fibula suffered in the Cardinals' 46-42 win at Eastern Michigan University on Jan. 10.
Newell, who was leading the team in scoring and rebounding at the time of his injury, had much to say about the injury itself, coach Billy Taylor his staff, his teammates, life after basketball and where he sees this Ball State team headed for the rest of the season.
The Cardinals, currently 8-8 overall and 3-1 in Mid-American Conference play, are tied for first place in the MAC West Division with Western Michigan University.
A complete story about Newell can be read in Monday's edition of The Ball State Daily News. Here are here are some excerpts from the interview:
On his injury:"For the first second I didn't feel anything and didn't know what was going on, and I looked at my leg and it was just all over the place and that's when I realized, yeah, it's broken."
On his hospital stay in Ypsilanti, Mich.:"They got me in there quick and I had the surgery - and, the rest is history, I guess."
On coach Billy Taylor and Coach Bob Simmons staying with him in the hospital:"You want to be a good guy to people and you want to see that when they're good to you, and I definitely saw that."
On coach Taylor and his family caring for Newell at his home:"I'm not sure many coaches would do things like that, and that's why I really respect him. Him and his wife just took care of me to the point where I had to say 'No' because I felt bad because I was getting taken care of so good."
On his teammates:"I've been around them in practice and messing with them a little bit. I mean, it's all been the same, but my leg's broke."
On how his team can fare the rest of the season:"As long as they play hard in the MAC, you have a chance every single night - every single night. You've just got to play hard, I don't care how many shots you make, how many free throws you miss, if you play hard, you're going to end up on top, and they've really grabbed that and they're doing it."
On his future in basketball:"My plan is to rehab as hard as possible, as hard as my leg lets me, and to get better as fast as possible and just get out on that court and make some money playing the game I love - it's a dream of mine."
On his legacy:"I just want people to remember that I wanted to succeed here, and through all of the trials and tribulations I stayed strong and with just one thing on my mind: to succeed."
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