Hurley Greatly Improved

Bobby Hurley of the Sacramento Kings, recovering dramatically from automobile crash injuries, should be released from intensive care soon and could be playing basketball again within a year, doctors said Thursday.

Specialists at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento said the 22-year-old Hurley, a former two-time All-American from Duke and the Kings’ No. 1 draft pick this year, was mending quickly, due in part to his peak physical condition prior to last Sunday’s accident.

“There’s no question that we were really impressed with this young man’s recuperative powers,” Dr. F. William Blaisdell said at a hospital news conference attended by Hurley’s parents and hospital officials.

“His recovery has been as dramatic as one ever sees. In the last 24 to 48 hours, it (his condition) has been one of dramatic improvement.”