Ex-Hog Beck shot, in good condition
Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007
FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas basketball player Corey Beck is listed in good condition at Regional Medical Center at Memphis after being shot Sunday night.
Beck, a starting point guard on the Razorbacks’ 1994 NCAA championship and 1995 national runnerup teams, was shot during a robbery attempt in Memphis according to the Commercial-Appeal newspaper.
Beck, 36, and Timothy Wilkins, 35, were in a car at Eighth and Fitzgerald when two men with masks and a shotgun attempted to rob them.
Beck was shot in the face and hand, the Commercial-Appeal reported, but managed to drive to a nearby fire station for assistance. He was taken to Regional Medical Center at Memphis in critical condition, but a hospital spokesman said Wednesday that Beck is now listed in good condition.
The spokesman declined to comment further, citing federal privacy laws.
Wilkins was treated and released for wounds at Methodist University Hospital, according to the Commercial-Appeal.
Nolan Richardson, Beck’s coach at Arkansas, said he heard about the shooting Monday from Clyde Fletcher, a former Razorback and friend of Beck’s “I’m just hoping and praying that everything works out and he recovers as soon as possible,” Richardson said. “Corey was always one of my favorite players and favorite kids.” Richardson said he hadn’t been able to reach Beck, but hoped to talk with him soon.
Corliss Williamson and Scotty Thurman were Beck’s teammates at Arkansas.
“We’re concerned. We were all really close up at Arkansas,” Williamson said. “I’m definitely praying for him and his family.” Thurman said he spoke with Beck on Tuesday night “but he was kind of delirious because of medication.” Thurman said he didn’t know “the whole story” of what happened and would prefer not to comment further until getting more information.
Beck, a Memphis native, started three seasons at Arkansas after transferring from South Plains (Texas ) Junior College and helped the Razorbacks go a combined 90-19. His career averages included 7. 9 points, 4. 7 assists, 4. 2 rebounds and 1. 8 steals.
Beck’s 483 steals ranks third on Arkansas’ all-time list.
“He was a great teammate,” Williamson said. “If you were in a war you’d want him by your side. He’d even push me at times when I wasn’t playing well.
“ He was definitely the heart and soul of our team.” After leaving Arkansas, Beck played briefly in the NBA and played in the CBA and in Europe. Information for this article was contributed by Jeffrey Slatton of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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