Former UConn Hoop Star 'Thankful To See Another Day' After Car Crash

STORRS, CT — Former UConn basketball star Charlie Villanueva said that he and his wife, Lala Alvarez, are feeling fortunate after their vehicle was "hit bad" in what he described as a hit-and-run crash earlier this week.

Villanueva, who also played 11 seasons in the NBA, shared photos of the crash on his Instagram account.

"One thing we never take for granted is leaving the house and making it back home," he said in his post. "If you wondering what happened, my wife and I got hit bad by another car, and the crazy part is that whomever hit me, decided to run."

He continued, "Sore neck, sore back, messed up car, we are thankful to see another day. Our lives can't be replaced, but the vehicle can. Thank you God for protecting us. We must walk in faith not by sight ... 2023 is just preparing us for 2024. So to those whom 2023 has been a difficult year, a year of struggle be thankful, and don't give up, because once you come out of the storm, you'll see your true power."

The 6-11 Villanueva averaged 11.2 points per game in 63 contests at UConn in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.