Allan Chaney, a top recruit who overcame a heart condition to play basketball at HPU, was named CBSSports.com Comeback Player of the Year.

• Author: Chaney, Allan
• Position: High Point University

Late last summer, well after the recruiting season is usually over, Allan Chaney visited the High Point University campus and agreed to join the men's basketball team. He enrolled in the Norcross Graduate School's nonprofit management program and achieved Millis Scholar-Athlete status while immediately becoming one of the best players on the team.

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While his success at HPU is no surprise, it is based on three words: adversity, perseverance and faith.

Chaney was the 64th-ranked player in the high school class of 2008 and previously played for the University of Florida and Virginia Tech. He earned his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in 2012.

However, the path that Chaney traveled to get to HPU has been a long and unique one. Chaney went to Florida and played in 23 games for the Gators in the 2008-09 season before transferring to Virginia Tech after his freshman year. Men's basketball players who transfer are required by the NCAA to sit out a year of competition before playing for their new school, so Chaney sat out 2009-10.

In the spring of 2010, Chaney fainted during an off-season individual workout at the Virginia Tech basketball practice facility. He was eventually diagnosed with viral myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart.

He missed two more seasons, but after one heart procedure and multiple electrophysiology studies, Chaney was cleared to participate in high-level athletics by renowned University of Pennsylvania cardiologist Dr. Francis Marchlinski in May 2012. Chaney had a defibrillator permanently implanted as a precaution in case he has any other heart issues. Chaney was also examined by High Point University team physicians and a local cardiologist, who conferred with Dr. Marchlinski, and he was cleared to play for HPU.

"It's unbelievable to be here at High Point University restarting my basketball career," says Chaney. "I'm so blessed for the opportunity that has been given to me, and I'm thankful every day. There's no place I'd rather be."

In fact, he expresses his gratitude in a humbling way every single morning. He sends a daily Tweet that reads, "Thank you, Dear Lord, for waking me up this morning!"

Getting back into playing shape required much time and determination from Chaney, but his skills were immediately apparent. He played in High Point's season-opening win...