Andray Blatche had a long and respectable NBA career, but he nearly lost his life before it really even began. During an appearance on Above The Rim with DH 12, Blatche spoke about getting shot at during a carjacking, before training camp in his rookie season.
“I got shot… before training camp,” Blatche said. “… (Peter John Ramos) had my car and my keys so I’m outside waiting on him ‘cuz I can’t get in the house. We lived in townhouses right next to each other. But all I remember is looking back. I seen that van with all them Ski masks, and I was just like, ‘Oh, it’s over.'”
Blatche was asked where he was shot and revealed it was on his right forearm and on the left side of his chest. The bullet missed his heart by an inch.
“We drive off, we get away, we get to a McDonald’s and the cop get there,” Blatche stated. “I took my shirt off ‘cuz I didn’t know I got shot here (chest), I know got shot here (forearm), so I took my shirt off and I’m wrapping around this, I’m holding this like this, ‘cuz I want to stop the blood.”
As Blatche focused on his forearm, the cop came over to ask about how many times he had been shot. The then-teenager said it was just one, but the cop had a closer look and realized it had gone through the forearm and hit the chest as well.
“He put that flashlight out and he looking,” Blatche added. “I see his eyes. Eyes go (got startled) and I was like… Boy, I seen that hole in my chest, dropped to the ground, start moving like a worm. Called my mom, (said) I ain’t gonna make it and I passed out… I work up in the helicopter, passed back out ‘cuz I’m afraid of heights.”
Well, the helicopter ensured Blatche reached the hospital as soon as possible. He underwent surgery and once that was done, was informed that he was quite fortunate. The bullet had pierced through his right forearm but didn’t hit “anything” and while it pierced his lung, the staff were able to close the wound.
The nature of his wounds meant Blatche, who was drafted with the 49th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, was able to actually get back on the court in about a month and a half. This incident took place on Sept. 25, 2005, and he made his NBA debut on Nov. 11, 2005, against the Seattle SuperSonics, in what was the Wizards’ fourth game of the season.
Blatche would go on to become a key player for the Wizards over time. His best season was 2010-11, as he averaged 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. His relationship with the team would sour not long after, though, and he was waived in 2012, via the amnesty clause.
Blatche then spent two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, after which he went overseas and played in China. In all, his NBA career lasted nine years and he averaged 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.
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