Zakayla Brown, a standout player for the Lady Tiger basketball team, is currently hospitalized at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt following a severe head injury sustained during a Friday night game against Marshall County.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, left the young athlete in critical condition as she experienced a series of grand mal seizures.
According to a post by Clarissa Miles Kelley on Facebook, Brown took a hard blow to the head during the game.
After initially returning to the bench, she collapsed on the gym floor and suffered a grand mal seizure that quickly escalated into multiple serious seizures lasting more than two hours.
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Medical staff at the scene worked tirelessly to stabilize her and control the seizures. Kelley wrote,
“The past few days have been unimaginably hard on her and her family with three ambulance rides, three hospital visits, countless hours of fear and waiting,” “Through it all, ZK has shown a strength far beyond her years with the fight we all know her for.”
Clarissa Miles Kelley
Following the initial hospital visit, Brown’s seizures returned at home, prompting another urgent trip to medical care.
She is now under the close supervision of Vandebilt’s medical team, where doctors are monitoring her brain activity and working diligently to determine the cause of the seizures and how to stop them.
The post called on friends, family, and the broader community to keep Brown in their thoughts and prayers. Kelley added,
“Please pray for her healing, for wisdom for her doctors, and for peace and strength for her family. They’ve been through so much, and they need every prayer covering them right now,”
Clarissa Miles Kelley
The response from the community has been immediate and heartfelt. Rhonda Dawson Raborn commented,
Praying! What a beautiful smile she has!
Rhonda Dawson Raborn
Zakayla Brown herself responded, expressing gratitude: “Thank you, you are the best.”
Troy Bridgett Hopkins offered support on social media, saying, “Sending prayers, love and hugs your way,” while Melanie Rodehaver Jones expressed relief that Brown was receiving proper medical attention.
Hate that for her. Glad she’s getting answers!
Melanie Rodehaver Jones
Other community members joined in, sharing encouragement and love. Donna Burns simply wrote, “Hugs,” while Cathy Kelley added,
Continuing to pray 🙏 for that sweet girl. 💖
Cathy Kelley
Tori Holstock said,
Prayer for you Zakayla. So sorry you’re going through this. That smile shows so much strength. I hope you get the answers your need and recover quickly.
Tori Holstock
Sara Holton Rzemieniewski also offered support, highlighting Brown’s impact on those around her:
Praying for her and her family! I know you are such a blessing to them!
Sara Holton Rzemieniewski
Others, including Lori Thompson Shelton, Tammy Rigsby Wallace, Lisa Doxey, Jada Landers, Andrea Childress Tanaro, Tammy Daly Mitchell, and Irvin Turner, shared prayers, love, and encouragement, showcasing the wide-reaching concern and support for the young athlete and her family.
The Lady Tiger basketball program has been deeply affected by the incident.
Medical professionals at Vanderbilt continue to monitor Brown closely, performing tests to better understand the cause of her seizures and ensure her safety.
For now, Zakayla remains in stable condition under expectant care.
As Kelly concluded in her post, the Brown family and the Lady Tiger basketball program need “every prayer covering them right now,” and the response from friends and fans indicates that Brown is not facing this battle alone.
