Isler may leave hospital today

Clovis High senior Jaden Isler had an electrical device inserted under his skin near his collarbone during surgery Monday at a Dallas hospital that will allow him to continue his athletic career, according to his father.

J.D. Isler said the device is a safety precaution in case his son’s heart gets out of rhythm, which doctors said is the reason he collapsed March 27 while attending a softball game and nearly died. Doctors told him the episode in which Jaden’s heart stopped beating was a case of sudden cardiac death, but do not know the cause.

The Clovis High basketball coach said the doctors said his son — who was dribbling a basketball in his room and in the corridors over the weekend — would be released to play sports with the defibrillator implant.

Jaden, who verbally committed to play Division I basketball at Charleston Southern in South Carolina the day he collapsed, will likely be released from the hospital today, his father said.

“We’re a little nervous not knowing the cause,” J.D. Isler said. “But we’re looking forward to getting back home and things returning to normal.”

Charleston Southern coach Barclay Radebaugh called about 11 a.m. Monday and informed Jaden as long as doctors cleared him to play again they would honor his scholarship offer, according to J.D. Isler.

The national letter of intent signing day for Division I basketball is April 16.

J.D. Isler said there are several players in Division I playing basketball with defibrillators.

Jaden, who helped Clovis reach the Class 5A state title game last month, finished as the school’s second leading scorer and career leader in assists.

J.D. Isler said doctors told him less than 5 percent of people afflicted with sudden cardiac death survive.