By Jim Vertuno
The Associated Press

AUSTIN - Texas point guard T.J. Ford played down the severity of his injury in a pickup basketball game, saying he "took a spill" and was taken to the hospital only as a precaution.

University officials refused to provide information about the All-American's injury Thursday, citing federal privacy laws. Ford issued a statement thanking those who treated him, but without revealing specifics.

"I took a spill in a pickup game, and it created a bit of a scare," he said. "Just to be safe, they took me to the hospital to check me out and let me go last night. I'm going home today to see my family for Easter weekend, and I'll be back in Austin on Monday."

Ford spent about four hours in a hospital emergency room Wednesday night after getting hurt during a game at a campus gym. Team spokesman Scott McConnell would say only that Ford's injury was not life-threatening.

A student who saw the injury said Ford was slapped on the back of the neck during the game and fell to the floor. The student, Seth Galton, told the Austin American-Statesman the contact appeared "very minor," even though an ambulance was called to the scene.

Galton said Ford remained motionless until medical personnel arrived. Galton said Ford was playing with several other Texas basketball players, as well as some football players.

Before Ford's freshman season at Texas began in the fall of 2001, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the openings of the vertebra the spinal cord runs through. After consulting with doctors, Ford decided against surgery to fix the problem, and tests later showed that the condition had improved.

Ford, who just completed his sophomore season for the Longhorns, is considering leaving for the NBA. Although McConnell would not say whether the injury was career-threatening, Ford's father, Leo Ford, told The Dallas Morning News that his son was "OK" but that he couldn't say more.

Texas officials have consistently cited federal privacy laws in withholding information about athletes injured in any sport.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed in 1996, went into effect Monday. Under the act, which was signed by President Clinton, institutions could lose federal funding for disclosing an athlete's medical information.

An athlete can talk about an injury to himself or sign a waiver allowing a school to release information. McConnell said Ford had not yet been asked if he wanted the university to release more information about the injury.

Ford led Texas to its first Final Four appearance in 56 years this season. He won the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith Award, honors given to the top player in the nation.

Ford led the team in five statistical categories this season, averaging 15 points and 7.7 assists a game.