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Recker recovering from crash, optimistic about future

Randy Metcalf Arizona Daily Wildcat U of A basketball's shooting guard Luke Recker, a transfer from Indiana, talks to the press yesterday about his recent injuries. Two months ago, Recker was in an automobile accident that fractured and dislocated his left wrist and severely lacerated his left ear.

Two months after he was involved in a severe car accident that left one man dead, UA junior basketball player Luke Recker yesterday said he will be healed and ready to practice by December.

"I'm feeling pretty well right now, actually," Recker said. "Things are coming along. It's difficult, but I'm adjusting well. I like it out here a lot and I can't wait to get back out on the court."

Recker, a shooting guard who transferred from Indiana in the summer, was involved in a three-car crash on July 10 in Durango, Colo. He suffered a fracture and dislocation of one of the small bones in his left wrist and a severely lacerated left ear.

The accident killed the driver, John Hollberg, 23, of Senoia, Ga.

Bob Hardwick, 21, of Durango, Colo., the driver who police said caused the accident, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving under the influence, careless driving resulting in bodily injury and vehicular assault.

Kelly Craig, Recker's girlfriend who was planning on transferring to the UA before the accident, suffered a spinal fracture and partial paralysis, while her brother, Jason Craig, suffered a severe head injury.

Both remain hospitalized in Chicago.

"They're hanging in there, they're fighting a tough battle," Recker said. "She's a tough girl and so is her brother, so we're just praying for them. It is difficult with them being all the way back in Chicago and me, obviously, being in Tucson. I'll be there in any way I can for her, but it's still a very difficult situation that you're never really prepared for."

Recker underwent orthopedic surgery on his wrist in Indianapolis and had a plastic surgeon reattach part of his ear. The pins in his wrist were removed in August.

Besides dealing with the car accident, Recker has also had to adjust to moving to a different area of the country and a new school. He lives in an apartment with two UA teammates - seniors Justin Wessel and John Ash - who have helped him settle in.

"It's difficult, but I'm adjusting well," Recker said. "I like it out here a lot and I can't wait to get back out on the court. I'd just like to get back in the swing of things."

Recker will have to sit out this season due to NCAA transferring rules, but will be allowed to practice with the team.

Practice officially starts on Oct. 15, but doctors say he won't be able to fully participate for a couple more months.

"We're anticipating mid-December until he's back fully participating in practice and basketball," said Ed Orr, UA men's basketball trainer. "Basically right now, because of his wrist injury, he's seeing a physical therapist just for that injury, a serious injury as most of you know.

Recker visits his physical therapist three times a week. He also exercises every day to help increase his strength and speed up the healing process. The UA athletic staff has him working on his lower body until his hand surgeon in Indianapolis allows him to do more.

"My wrist and mobility hasn't come back," Recker said. "It's going to be tough for it to come back but they're working on that aspect, but that's the main thing right now, getting the mobility back in my wrist where I can have movements I had prior to the injury. Once I get that and it strengthens and heals properly, I'll definitely be back full strength."

The accident, though difficult to get over, has given him a fresh outlook on life.

"Without a doubt, it's something you'll never forget," Recker said. "It's definitely changed my views on life and the perspective I have for it. I think it's something I need to go on from here."

Head coach Lute Olson said he is excited to have Recker on board.

"It's hard right now for Luke in that he's not out there with the guys in pick-up games," Olson said. "We're anxious for the time to come when he's actually going to be on the floor because his experience and maturity is very much needed on this team."

Olson thanked Wessel and Ash for making the adjustment easier for Recker.

"I think the primary thing we've been concerned about is having Luke living with guys who are familiar with the program here and it's great that he's in an apartment with John Ash and Justin Wessel because they've been around, other than Gene (Edgerson), longer than anyone," Olson said.

Recker said his new teammates have been supportive and he feels that even though he is starting at a new school, it shouldn't be too hard to get adjusted at the UA.

"I think I have an advantage that I've been through college for two years," he said. "I understand what it takes to maintain good grades and manage your time so you can play basketball, so I'm fortunate in that aspect.

Off the court, many of the people affected by the accident are busy working to prevent future tragedies.

In Indiana, Recker's mother has started a Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization in the county where the family lives. The Craig family is organizing a golf outing to raise money for Kelly and Jason's hospital bills.

Recker said he would like to speak at a charity event if the NCAA allows him.

"I wouldn't be opposed to helping an organization if I could," he said. "I would do everything I could if that's legal, but I wouldn't be opposed to speaking because those are great charities and they're trying to help people and hopefully trying to prevent situations like this from happening again."

"It's been a trying time, but there have been a lot of people who have shown a lot of support," he added. "It shows that there are a lot of people out there who care."

Bryan Rosenbaum can be reached at Bryan.Rosenbaum@wildcat.arizona.edu.