Basketball: Political hopeful saves life of NZ star

By MARTIN JOHNSTON

New Zealand basketball star Mark Dickel owes his life to an American political hopeful who gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after an on-court collision.

Dickel, aged 23, who is preparing for the Sydney Olympics, went into a convulsion and stopped breathing during a friendly game in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

He jumped to block a shot, collided with another player and hit his head on the hardwood floor.

He was resuscitated by veterinarian John Ensign, a former Congressman who is now a Republican candidate for the Senate.

Media reports quoted Mr Ensign as saying: "Mark was turning blue and he stopped breathing, so I gave him mouth-to-mouth."

Dickel was taken to hospital where he received 11 stitches for a head wound and was discharged. He was diagnosed as having a dislocated shoulder and slight concussion.

A communications student, he plays guard for the University of Nevada Las Vegas and was this week named a member of the New Zealand Olympic basketball training squad.

He has a reputation as a tough, hard-nosed player.

His father, Carl Dickel, said from Dunedin last night after speaking to his son: "It could have been a whole bunch more serious if he wasn't resuscitated quickly.

"It's a multi-use complex. [Mr Ensign] was on a treadmill and heard the commotion on the basketball court.

"He was close enough to be able to resuscitate Mark before the paramedics arrived, which we are very thankful for.

"He's had two CAT scans and they have both been clear. The major concern now is his shoulder."

Mr Dickel was confident his son would be fully fit for the Olympics in September, even if he had to have an operation on his shoulder.

"If Mark can vote I guess [Mr Ensign] has got one vote for sure."

Dickel was snapped up by the glamour US college in 1996 - the first Kiwi back-court player to be signed by a first-division college.

He was earmarked for basketball stardom from the time he made his national league debut for Otago as a 16-year-old.