By: Lakeisha Sutton
Recent research has shown sudden Cardiac Death is responsible for heart diseases now more than ever before.
Gamecock women's basketball player, Shelbretta Ball discovered this because medical tests showed that she was suffering from a rare heart condition. The discovery ended her basketball career at USC before it began.
Shelbretta said she began feeling her heart start fluttering randomly in her dorm room last summer.
Heart specialists evaluated Shelbretta, and ruled her medically ineligible to play.
"It was kind of like, are you serious? No not me it was like a denial a disbelief type of thing," said Ball.
Due to federal HIPAA laws the medical problem cannot be disclosed.
"I have myocardial noncampaction. It is to where my heart muscle is not able to take the intensity of the workouts we are doing," said Ball.
Ball says her teammates were very supportive. She said being around their "positive spirits" always uplifted hers.She says they was always there when she needed a shoulder to lean on.
Ball said she has accepted that she can't play. But there is still something burning inside of her like anybody who loves the game, that she will be able to play again.
Coach Dawn Staley said Brett would have been the perfect fit for her team.
"Brett is a big athletic guard who can get to the basket and she's able to create her own shot and known down open 3's," said Coach Staley.
Sophomore forward Lisa Welch said Ball was the most positive person she's has ever met.
"She doesn't take anything for granted and she's made positivity out of every situation she's been through," said Welch.
Senior point guard Ieasia Walker agreed.
"It did upset her but she was able to bounce back. Through her spirituality she was able to find another purpose in life besides just basketball," said Walker.
Before the start of last season Brett started her own show on gamecocksonline.com called Ballin with Brett. Using a flip cam she provides fans with an exclusive behind the scenes look at the team throughout the season.
Ball may never be able to play a game at USC, she remains strong in her faith.
"God is awesome and despite of the situation that I'm in I believe God has a plan for me as he do everybody," said Ball.
The religious bands Ball wears to stay positive.
Quick look at myocardial noncampaction.
