Brian Williams Expected to Be Released Today

Brian Williams of the Orlando Magic was given neurological and cardiographic examinations after collapsing during a summer league basketball game in Redondo Beach, a Florida cardiologist said Thursday.

Williams, a former standout at St. Monica High School in Santa Monica, is expected to be released today from South Bay Hospital of Redondo Beach, according to Curtis Weaver of the Florida Heart Group and a Magic team physician.

Weaver said in a statement that Williams’ neurological test results were normal, but cardiology exams were continuing.

“All parties involved agree, however, that until further evaluations have taken place here in Orlando, Brian will not participate in any official drills or workouts,� Weaver said.

Mark Herrenschmidt, the sports director of KOLD-TV in Tucson, said Williams told him in a telephone interview Wednesday night that he had an irregular heartbeat.

“He said he suffered a seizure that caused his collapse,� Herrenschmidt said. “He said there were so many tests it was too early to know what was wrong.�

Williams, a 6-foot-11 forward who played at Maryland before transferring to Arizona, collapsed Tuesday night during a Southern California Summer Pro Basketball game at Redondo Union High School.

“There was a rebound and the ball went one way, and Brian never even ran down with the play,� said Josh Oppenheimer, a player in the league who was watching. “He sort of started to wobble. He grabbed his chest, moaned, slumped up against the mat on the wall and slid down it and landed face down.�

Oppenheimer said Williams’ mother, Patricia Phillips, told some friends in the gym that her son once had a heart murmur, a condition that experts say is not uncommon for youngsters.

Williams, in stable condition, told some friends that “it felt like his chest caved in.�