Wife of Wake Forest basketball coach Steve Forbes suffered serious medical event

Johnetta Forbes, the wife of Wake Forest men’s basketball coach Steve Forbes, suffered a stroke last week in Florida while Forbes was in Kuwait coaching at Operation Hardwood.

The head coach and school released statements about a “serious medical event” on Monday. Forbes provided additional details in an update on his Facebook page:

As some of you are aware, Johnetta had a stroke last Tuesday in Destin, Florida while I was in Kuwait taking part in Operation Hardwood. By the grace of God our 3 children were with her when this tragedy occurred, and they did an incredible job taking care of their mother by getting her the immediate care she needed. I left Kuwait the next day, but It took me about 24 hours to fly from Kuwait City to Pensacola, Florida. Johnetta is currently a patient at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. I will do my best from time to time to update you on her progress. I have attached the press release that Wake Forest Athletics sent out this am. Your positive thoughts and prayers are much needed and appreciated.

In the release from Wake Forest, Forbes said he was indebted to the quick response from South Walton Beach EMTs, as well as the doctors and nurses at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital.

Wake Forest’s basketball team doesn’t report for the fall semester for another few weeks, and it remains unclear if Forbes will need to be away from the team once they do. Wake Forest said it would not be providing any more details on the situation, but Forbes added in his Facebook post he would look to update Johnetta’s progress whenever he can.

Both Forbes and athletic director John Currie expressed confidence in the assistant coaching staff to handle added responsibilities should Forbes need to miss time, though.

“Our entire community is heartened by the determined response of Johnetta Forbes following this medical event,” Currie said in a statement. “The love and support from Steve and their children, Elizabeth, Christopher and Johnathon is inspiring. Coach Forbes has a tremendous men’s basketball staff and I am fully confident in their ability to provide him the flexibility he needs to support Johnetta during this important time.”

Currie also added that well wishes and support can be emailed to wfsports@wfu.edu, and all notes will be shared with the Forbes family.