Yikes, here’s another scary basketball fall on a fast break (see Fernandez-Ariza video from last week or check out this dunk/backflip from Adam Waddell of Wyoming)

During today’s Big East Championship game between Syracuse and Louisville, Syracuse senior forward from Ghent, Belgium, Kristof Ongenaet found himself at the head of the pack when he took a lead pass from Jonny Flynn

Onganaet went up, with two Louisville players trailing, and dunked the ball with two hands.  His momentum carried him as he pushed the ball through the rim, his legs swinging forward as the 6-8 Belgian tried to catch his balance by hanging on the rim.

But the velocity forced him to lose his grip on the rim sending him horizontal – what’s worse is as he fell, his flailing left leg caught the back of Louisville freshman Terrence Jennings (#23), forcing his leg up and pointing back the other direction.

The 23-year old landed on his back as his legs kept going backward from the momentum… Onganaet flipped backwards.

It’s important to know that he wasn’t undercut, it was Ongenaet’s momentum and subsequent attempt to catch himself that caused the severity of his fall.  And though it was during the Big East title game, players from both sides were genuinely concerned with Ongenaet.

As Ongenaet hit the court, you can see Earl Clark (#5), one of the Louisville Cardinals trailing the play, and Syracuse center Rick Jackson both place their hands on their heads simultaneously in shock. Clark would have to turn and walk away.

Ongenaet would eventually get up and would play in the second half (in progress).

He finished the first half of the game with 4 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds.  Ongenaut’s 4 first-half points matched his total during Syracuse’s semifinal win over UConn in their nearly-four hour, 6 overtime game.  I’ll find a video of the dunk and post it here when I do.

Links and Resources: Six Overtimes: Syracuse upsets UConn 127-117 in Big East Tournament (Interbasket), Video: Rudy Fernandez injured by Trevor Ariza in Blazers’ Rout of Lakers (Interbasket)