OU player stabbed in brawl released from hospital

Published: September 4, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - An Oklahoma basketball player stabbed during an altercation at a Norman nightclub has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, OU coach Jeff Capel said Thursday.

Freshman guard Ray Willis, 18, of Atlanta, was released from hospital care on Wednesday.

"He sustained multiple wounds, one of which resulted in a partially collapsed lung," Capel said in a statement. "Although there is no timetable for his return to the court, we expect him to be ready for the start of practice in mid-October."

According to Norman Police Department reports, Willis and OU defensive end Frank Alexander were among those caught in a melee involving guns, knives and tire irons around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Police indicate the fight began when a crowd denied entry into a party attacked invited guests.

Alexander, 18, was treated and released from Norman Regional Hospital later Sunday. The freshman reserve is not expected to play Saturday against Cincinnati.

Willis averaged 27.5 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Westlake High School last year and wound up the No. 61-rated prep player in the nation by Scout.com.

"Ray is a talented, confident player and we expect him to have a positive impact on our season," Capel said in his statement.

Comments