Marion receives OK from doctor after final battery of tests

Steve Carp

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998 | 10:18 a.m.

Shawn Marion was back on the court, running, dribbling and dunking after the 6-foot-7 UNLV junior got a clean bill of health Monday from doctors on his follow-up checkup.

Dontay Hicks wasn't so lucky. The New Mexico recruit, who was scheduled to play the point guard spot, is banned from the court after doctors in Albuquerque found him to have cardiomyopathy.

When Marion collapsed on the UNLV track during conditioning Sept. 28, the fear was, he too, was suffering from cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart. However, a battery of tests Oct. 5 proved negative and Marion was able to resume his basketball career.

"The scariest thing was not knowing what was going to happen," Marion said. "I did a lot of praying."

Marion says he feels great and is looking forward to the start of practice Saturday at the North Gym. As for Hicks, the 6-foot-1 junior told the Albuquerque Journal, "It hurts, knowing I won't be able to play right away. It's something I've dreamed about all my life and to have it just yanked away that quick really hurts."

Do we have to go?

This final season of the WAC will be interesting in more ways than one, starting with today's media preview at the MGM Grand. But don't be surprised if some of the coaches that are leaving the WAC use their time to talk about next season when they compete in the new league.

"I think it's important to be there," UNLV coach Bill Bayno said of the WAC's media day. "It's a chance to talk about the season and the future.

"I'm sure the whole year is going to be uncomfortable. There'll be some uneasy moments. You wonder if you'll be treated fairly. But I think it's good that everyone is getting together this week."

Annual 'Fan Jam'

The UNLV "Fan Jam," which will feature the annual Scarlet and Gray scrimmage, has been moved to Oct. 27 at the Thomas & Mack Center. It originally had been slated for the 26th. The 7 p.m. event, which is free to the public, will feature a 3-point shooting and slam dunk contest. Players will be available for autographs following the Fan Jam.

* Balcony seats for individual games for the 1998-99 season will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center box office. Prices are $15, $12 and $10. All downstairs seating is sold out. Tickets for the Dec. 19 Las Vegas Shootout doubleheader with Cincinnati (Arizona plays Iowa State in the opener) already are on sale. There are tickets downstairs for that game only at $28 apiece, while balcony is priced at $22. The regular season opens Nov. 14 against Sacred Heart.

* Because of scheduling conflicts, the weekly Rebel Athletic Club luncheons have been scaled back to once a month this season, beginning Dec. 15. The luncheons, which are held in the Si Redd Room and feature coach Bill Bayno, also will be held Jan. 5, Feb. 2 and March 2. All luncheons begin at noon. Cost will be $10.