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Akil Mitchell ok after gruesome eye injury

Yeah, that’s just nasty.

Michigan State v Virginia
Mitchell lost an eye playing in New Zealand
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

News broke last night (this morning) that former Virginia basketball stand-out, Akil Mitchell, suffered a gruesome eye injury during his game in the New Zealand Basketball League (NBL). Mitchell, who plays for the New Zealand Breakers, was poked in the eye by Cairns’ Nnanna Egwu when the two went up for a routine rebound. Then, the unthinkable happened.

His eyeball came out of socket.

According to ESPN, “...the injury left his teammates visibly upset, along with fans near the baseline.” Mitchell was tended to by team trainers and left the court of his own volition, with a towel covering his head.

Luckily, within a couple hours there was an update.

Mitchell was a total trooper in the whole affair, even making jokes to let his fans (worldwide) know he was doing alright.

Akil, a Charlotte, NC native, was instrumental in putting Virginia basketball back on the map. He finished his career third in games played, seventh in rebounding, and tied for 14th in double-doubles in the Virginia record books. His leadership and contributions on the floor helped the Hoos capture the 2014 ACC regular season and tournament titles, their first ACC tournament championship since 1976.

Video of the injury exists, but just know this before watching:

We here at Streaking the Lawn hope Akil makes a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the big man!