Duquesne player sent to hospital

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Duquesne University center Almamy Thiero was hospitalized Friday with blood clots in his lungs and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Thiero's illness is the latest medical setback for the Dukes, who had five players shot on campus Sept. 17 -- only one of whom is currently playing. Also, coach Ron Everhart spent five days in a hospital last month with a gastrointestinal problem and forward Kieron Achara missed six games with stress fractures in a foot.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pound Thiero, a backup inside player who transferred from Memphis, was admitted to Mercy Hospital after experiencing discomfort overnight. It is uncertain how long he will need treatment.
Thiero missed most of the 2003-04 season at Memphis because of the same problem.
Thiero, who transferred as a graduate student and thus was eligible immediately this season, also had two leg operations while at Memphis. He sat out most of last season because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, then needed knee surgery Oct. 9 after enrolling in Duquesne.
Thiero, from Mali, West Africa, is averaging 2.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15 games for the Dukes (5-10).