SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah State basketball player who nearly died after collapsing during practice Tuesday got a special welcome back to his team's stadium Saturday.

Danny Berger, 22, collapsed during practice in Logan and fell into cardiac arrest. The team's trainer revived him using a defibrillator.

Doctors have inserted a small defibrillator underneath Berger's skin in his chest that would kick into action and restart his heart if it stops again. His left arm will remain in a sling for three weeks because of the defibrillator. After that, doctors say he should be cleared to play again.

Saturday, Berger was released from the hospital and returned to Logan to be with his team as they play Western Oregon. On his return, the crowd welcomed him back with cheers and signs showing their love for the player.

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Danny Berger gives first press conference following collapse

Utah State basketball player Danny Berger's condition keeps improving after he collapsed during practice on Tuesday, leading to the postponement of the Utah State game at BYU. Berger addressed the media for the first time tonight at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.

Hours before at a press conference, Berger called it a miracle that he's still alive and said he feels lucky he could cheer on his team Saturday. Berger says he could be playing basketball again in six weeks.

"To have something like this happen is traumatic, and to still have the chance to play the game of basketball is unbelievable," Berger said.

Tests show that playing basketball shouldn't be a problem for Berger, said Dr. Jared Bunch of the Intermountain Medical Center. When he does play again, doctors will be monitoring the heart remotely via the defibrillator. Other college basketball players have played with defibrillators in place, Bunch said.

"By all means, we want him to go back and play," Bunch said. "He's played at a high level of basketball for over 16 years, so his heart most of the time recovers nicely."

Doctors cannot fully explain what caused the collapse, but said he was born with a tendency for this to happen because of his heart having two to three extra beats, said Dr. Jared Bunch of the Intermountain Medical Center. Berger said he has never experienced anything like what happened, and knows nothing of any pre-existing condition.

Sitting between his dad and trainer, Berger talked to the media Saturday afternoon. He said he was tired but glad to be out of the hospital, in time to cheer his team on.

He wanted to thank everyone for their overwhelming support. He was especially grateful to trainer Mike Williams, who performed CPR and used a defibrillator to revive him, after his collapse.

Williams says he's taught CPR but this was the first time he's ever had to revive someone. Williams said he doesn't remember much because he was so focused on Danny. He says, so many people had a part, in saving Danny's life that day.

Berger said he remembers what happened up until his collapse, which he said felt like standing up too fast from bed and feeling light headed. His next memory was waking up in a hospital.

The near-death experience has made Berger reflect on the frailty of life and strengthened his belief in God. Berger is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"I can't deny the hand of God in the whole situation," he said Friday in another press conference. "I know for a fact that he used people to still have me here. There is a purpose why I'm here."

Bunch said it's remarkable that Berger survived — at least more than half of people whose hearts stop die. Every minute, survival possibilities go down by 10 percent, he said. Berger's heart wasn't functioning for 30 seconds, Bunch said.

Bunch said this case shows the importance of having the automated external defibrillator, known as AEDs, around at gyms and public areas.

Williams used that device within a minute or two after Berger went into cardiac arrest. That quick action has been credited with saving Berger's life.

Berger said Williams didn't have the device on top of the water cooler like usual, but team manager Jesse Parker sprinted up a tunnel at the basketball arena and brought it back down to the court quickly. Parker is Berger's roommate.

"Before he hit even the ground, I was already out of my chair sprinting up the tunnel," Parker said Friday.

Williams said so many people had a role, in saving Danny's life that day.

"All we did was give Danny a chance for a fight and he took that fight. He gave a hell of a fight," Williams said.

Brian Berger, Danny's father, said he can't believe his son's progress.

"Should have seen him four days ago. Didn't know what was going to happen; here is is. He was walking on a treadmill yesterday," said Brian Berger.

Danny Berger was born in Fort Collins, Colo., and went to high school in Medford, Ore. He played basketball at Chemeketa Community College in Oregon before coming to play for Utah State. The junior is a starter at forward and averages 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Berger's family was with him at the hospital from Tuesday until his release. Evidence of his improvement was visible in a photo a friend tweeted Thursday showing Berger flashing a "thumbs up" sign while surrounded by family members.

Utah State, meanwhile, continues working with Brigham Young officials to find a suitable date to reschedule the rivalry game that was postponed Wednesday because of what happened to Berger.

Contributing: Brady McCombs, Associated Press

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