From the best freshman in the 1992–93 season to broken NBA dreams, Ronnie Fields’ story is one of the most heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Playing alongside future NBA great Kevin Garnett at Farragut Academy, his future was as bright as any other star we see today. Fields was the first sophomore to feature in the “Best of the Best” game at the Nike All-American camp. It was in 1993, three years before the tragic accident that broke his dream to play in the NBA.

During a conversation with former NBA stars Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on All The Smoke Podcast, Fields detailed how one accident changed his entire life and dreams.

Ronnie Fields details the heartbreaking moment of his life

The accident took place in Chicago on February 26, 1996, that was just two days before his birthday. During the conversation, Fields recalled that it was night when they had a crucial game of the regular season. After dropping one of his teammates who lives far south, Fields was on his way back when it started raining. He recalled how the driver’s side tire hit a pothole filled with water. As a result, his car swerved and crashed into a wall at about 60 miles per hour.

“That was one of the craziest things that there was um one of the players on the team was we just finished the regular season was a huge game to 4:04 that night so we getting ready to go into the playoffs,” Fields revealed on All The Smoke podcast.

He further added, “You couldn’t see a pothole like this big was filled with water but like the rain coming down I never forget it was the driver side tire hit that hole and it was a bridge about 60 M an hour hit spent boom right into the wall only thing I realized is that moment I blacked out I end up in the back seat.” He later received help from passersby.

Throughout the conversation, Fields detailed how he initially didn’t realize how badly injured he was. Several of his bones broke due to this accident and the most severe was his fractured neck. He had to wear a protective halo during his recovery process. That accident shattered not just NBA but NCAA dreams too. He couldn’t go for the playoffs. It took some time for Fields to finally recover physically and as well as mentally. Following this, he decided to join the minor leagues.

Ronnie Fields’ basketball career with CBA

The 2x CBA scoring champion’s game was exceptional while playing for the Farragut Academy from 1993 to 96 alongside Boston Celtics legend Garnett. In the same year, he was selected as the 73 overall by the LaCrosse Bobcats in CBA. While he declared for the NBA draft in 1997, he later withdrew his name. Later, he was undrafted in the 1998 NBA draft.

In the year 2001, he played in the ABA reuniting with Joey Meyer, who recruited him for DePaul University. Fields played for the Chicago Skyliners. While he couldn’t follow his dreams in the NBA, he did his best in the CBA. Fields led the CBA in scores and steals. He was also selected All-CBA First Team in 2003, 2004, and 2008. He also played in several international leagues.

Ronnie Fields talks about how the accident impacted his life

Was he ever able to regain his initial strength after the accident? The same was asked of the 3x CBA All-Star. In response, Fields shared, “I probably like never felt like myself again you know I was still able to play and do some things but I never felt like I probably like still was at maybe  like a 40 a 38 40 is vertical still able to do certain things but I knew the difference and Jack like you knew you could tell the difference.”

Injuries are the most painful part of an athlete’s life. Fields’ prowess in the CBA after his serious accident makes us wonder about his true potential if the accident had never happened.

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