Missouri star Caleb Grill was stretchered off the court Wednesday night after suffering a scary head and neck injury in their win over Lindenwood.
Grill was taken to a local hospital. A team spokesperson said the Columbia Daily Tribune that Grill responds and that he was taken to the hospital as a precaution. More details about his injury are not yet known.
Grill was fighting for a rebound at the line during the competition at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, but took a clumsy blow to the head at the right angle that caused his neck to snap back hard while in the air. Grill immediately fell to the court as play moved elsewhere, curling into a ball while holding the back of his head.
He remained on the court for nearly 10 minutes receiving treatment before being stretchered off the ground. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd on his way out.
Official update on Caleb Grill by @MizzouHoops
“Caleb suffered a head and neck injury in the first half. “He responds and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.”
Grill gave a thumbs up when he was taken off the field pic.twitter.com/KFBqjBtjhQ—Ben Arnet (@BenArnetKOMU) November 28, 2024
“We’re waiting on the results of a CT scan,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates said after the game, via the Daily Tribune. “Anytime you have a head or neck injury, you have to be (cautious) and have some caution with that. And that’s what it was about, making sure he was okay. He was receptive, talking the whole time when I was”. Down there in the meeting with him, he even rolled with a thumbs up, so it was a good sign in that sense.”
Grill had two points and a steal in seven minutes when he went down with the injury. Grill, the team’s leading scorer, missed most of last season with a wrist injury. He is averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting nearly 59% from the field and over 55% from behind the arc.
“As far as I know, he was receptive to us, walked out of this arena with a thumbs up and hit the ground running,” Gates said. “And again, (caution) is the area that we’re always going to take when you get elbowed in the back of the neck, in the head area. So we give credit to our team, our EMS team. They did a great job and I’m very grateful.”
Missouri is 6-1 on the season following the win. The Tigers’ only loss came against Memphis in the season opener. They will face Cal next Tuesday.