Every year, 60 new players are drafted, while hundreds more dream of making it to the NBA. While it’s a lifelong goal for many, few can live it. But imagine achieving your goal only to have life deal you another blow, like getting shot just months after being drafted.

This is the story of Andray Blatche, selected 49th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Like many of the league’s stars, Blatche came straight out of high school and wanted to make a name for himself, but was derailed by a senseless act of violence.

Blatche appeared on Above the edge with DH 12. The former NBA center joined three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard in sharing his story of being shot right after being signed by the Washington Wizards.

“I got shot… In the first couple of months, before training camp… They were trying to steal cars… I just remember looking back. I saw the van with all the ski masks and I just thought, ‘It’s over.'”

Blatche attempted to describe this near-death experience, mentioning that he was shot in the right arm and chest. Had the bullet gone an inch the other way, Blatche might not have survived, as it narrowly missed his heart.

He told the rest of the story, mentioning how he pulled into a McDonald’s parking lot and took off his shirt to tie it around his arm. A police officer, unaware of the gunshot wound to the chest, came to check on him but discovered a huge bullet hole in his chest.

Blatche lost consciousness and woke up in a helicopter that took him to the hospital. The former center recalled losing consciousness several times. When he came out of surgery, he saw that the Wizards’ general manager, his former teammate Gilbert Arenas, and his family members were waiting for him at the hospital.

Blatche’s way back to the league

Blatche had a near-death experience, but what weighed on him even more was the fact that he had made it in life, only to be distracted by someone trying to steal his car. Due to his injury, Blatche missed the Wizards’ training camp that year, and there was no exact timetable for his return.

Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards’ former president of basketball operations, issued a statement, according to ESPN.

“It’s a very scary situation. We’re just thankful he wasn’t hurt more seriously. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’ll learn from this.”

When asked when the 19-year-old will be back on the court, Grunfeld replied: “He will not participate in training camp. He will start his rehab and we will see how everything goes. That will determine how quickly we can have him ready to play again.”

Blatche eventually made his way back to the court and made his debut against the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder), but was then sent to a D-League team, the Roanoke Dazzle, where he played for a year before returning to the Wizards’ roster.