Chai Baker Improving

Oregon St. freshman guard Chai Baker is improving, after collapsing Tuesday at practice.

Baker is still in the intensive care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, and is in "critical but improving" condition. But as we tweeted earlier, as relayed by head coach Wayne Tinkle, Baker is off the ventilator, and breathing normally on his own.

Baker is responding to commands, and communicating with head nods.

Doctors still have not determined what caused Baker's cardiac event, but are increasingly optimistic for a full recovery.

Baker is expected to remain in intensive care for another 24 hours while doctors run further tests.

Baker's mother Niki has flown in from Panama City, FL, the family's home town.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com