Valparaiso player regains consciousness a month after collapse

VALPARAISO, INDIANA - Valparaiso center Kenny Harris has regained consciousness almost a month after he collapsed while lifting weights.<br> <br> Harris&#39; parents, Kenneth and Cynthia Jolly said Friday in a statement that their son is out of the intensive care unit at the University of Chicago hospital.<br> <br> ``He is out of a coma and is breathing on his own,&#39;&#39; the statement said. ``The family thanks all of those for the power of prayer and asks for continued prayer for a full recovery of their son.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The 6-foot-10, 300-pound sophomore had battled weight and health problems since he came to Valparaiso from nearby Griffith High School in 2003, when he was an Indiana All-Star and runner-up for the state&#39;s Mr. Basketball award.<br> <br> He was in the university athletic center weight room when he collapsed during a supervised workout April 11.<br> <br> He remained in critical condition at Porter hospital and was transferred to the University of Chicago&#39;s neuro-intensive care unit on April 20.<br> <br> ``For any parent, coach or teammate to see a friend in the intensive care unit, it puts perspective on winning and losing,&#39;&#39; coach Homer Drew said. ``To see him continue to improve, this is an answer to prayer.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Harris&#39; weight ballooned to more than 400 pounds by the time he started his freshman year. He was listed on last season&#39;s team roster at 310 pounds. He also has had surgeries on his gall bladder and for a herniated disc.<br> <br> Harris averaged nine points and five rebounds in 11 games last season as the Crusaders went 15-15.