CHICAGO (AP) -- A star forward at the University of Illinois at Chicago was recovering Sunday after being shot in the leg while defending his sister from a domestic attack.

Othyus Jeffers, 6-foot-5-inch junior who was the Flames' leading scorer last season, was shot in the leg Friday night. He said he was trying to protect his sister from an abusive boyfriend.

"I'm just thankful that we both made it out alive," Jeffers, 21, told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Police said Sunday they were still searching for the 21-year-old shooter, whose name has not been released.

Jeffers' sister was also was shot in the leg and is expected to recover from her injuries.

Jeffers said he asked the man to leave his sister's house after she said she was being beaten by the man. He left, but Jeffers said he returned about half an hour later. This time, Jeffers said, he was brandishing a gun.

The player said he's not sure how his injury will affect his basketball game.

He lead the team in scoring, rebounding, field goals and steals last season.

"I'm just taking it day by day," he said. "I'm not even thinking about basketball right now."

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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index