To that end, he has already enlisted the aid
of 39 Division I basketball coaches for a program he hopes to have in
place by next season.
 
"Next season, we plan on monitoring Division
I college basketball with the goal of having a working defibrillator
and someone trained to use it at every Division I game and practice,"
Gomes said. "With all the occurrences of this tragedy, we should be
ready to respond in the occurrence of another one. That’s a realistic
goal that we hope to attain."

 

 
 
Wittman said Jefferson should get consideration for the NBA’s Most
Improved Player award. "I think you’ve got to, with what he’s done on a
consistent basis," said Wittman, who also said Sebastian Telfair should
be considered. "Being the main option for the first time in his career,
sometimes it takes a person awhile to get accustomed to that. You’re
seeing different things from him, too. That’s part of being an improved
player," Wittman said.
 
 
 
He is one of just four players in the NBA averaging
at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, along with Orlando’s Dwight Howard,
Utah’s Carlos Boozer and Washington’s Antawn Jamison.
 
Jefferson’s 50 double-doubles ranked second in the
NBA behind Howard. And he has improved his shot blocking as well. He
came into Friday’s game against San Antonio having averaged 3.6 blocks
in the previous five games.
 
Also from Alonzo:
— Wolves point guard Sebastian Telfair missed his
10th consecutive game because of a sprained left ankle. Wittman wasn’t
sure whether Telfair would be able to resume practicing today.