Hoops star from Atlanta upgraded to fair condition

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta's Drey Mingo, Purdue's second-leading scorer, has been upgraded to fair condition as she continues to battle bacterial meningitis.

Mingo was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon in critical condition. The Boilermakers were supposed to fly to Mexico Wednesday for the Caribbean Challenge tournament, but canceled their trip.

Mingo complained of cold symptoms Monday and Tuesday, which is consistent with the early onset of meningitis. The ailment is an inflammation of membranes around the brain and spine that can be fatal. Mingo is expected to be treated with antiobiotics for another two weeks.

School officials said players, coaches and trainers, all of whom have been in close contact with Mingo recently, have been treated for the illness. Purdue's last two opponents, DePaul and South Dakota State, also said they had their players treated with medicine as a preventive measure.

Meningitis can be transmitted by recurrent exposure to saliva or coughing or other direct contact, but it is normally not highly communicable. The strain of bacteria Mingo contracted has not been announced.

Purdue's next game will be at home Dec. 2 against Maryland, the school Mingo attended for two years before transferring.

Mingo, who starred at Marist in DeKalb County, is averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds for the 4-0 Boilermakers.

--The Associated Press contributed to this report.