University of Wisconsin-Whitewater basketball player Derek Gray, 20, died recently after suffering a “heart attack,” according to his coach.
The tragic incident occurred on July 24 when the 20-year-old was volunteering at a summer basketball camp attended by more than 100 children aged 10-17, Gray’s coach Pat Miller told WKOW.
When Gray died, Miller initially thought his actor was having a seizure, but realized it was more serious than he first thought.
“It’s a very surreal situation where you think, ‘OK, he’ll be fine,’ and then you’re really scared, and as time goes on, it becomes more and more obvious that it’s very serious.” Miller reported this in a local publication.
The campers were evacuated from the building while Gray was treated by first responders.
Miller said Gray’s death was related to a “heart attack” caused by a “congestion”, according to WKOW.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks athletics department released a statement on social media mourning Gray’s passing.
“Warhawk Nation mourns student-athlete Derek Gray on the Warhawk men’s basketball team who passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2022 while playing his favorite game,” the post said. Declaration you read.
Warhawk Nation mourns student-athlete Derek Gray on the Warhawk men’s basketball team, who died unexpectedly on July 24, 2022 while playing his favorite game. pic.twitter.com/gHkyMr23NP
— Warhawk Athletics (@UWWAthletics) 26 July 2022
Starting all 25 games with the Warhawks in the Wisconsin Division III Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last season, Gray finished second in the conference in points per game (17.8) and steals (46), according to the reporting team. Web site.
Miller told WKOW that he received interest from Division I programs after his freshman season.
According to the team’s website, Gray majored in criminology and had “career ambitions” to invest in real estate after graduation.
Cullen Haskins, vice principal of La Follette High School in Madison, Wisconsin, where Gray attended high school, made a statement regarding the sudden death of the 20-year-old, WMTV said:
On behalf of Principal Matt Thomspon and the entire staff at La Follette High, it is with great sadness that the La Follette community mourns the unexpected loss of former Lancer Derek Gray. Derek is a La Follette basketball and Lancer track and field giant who excels in the toughest games and toughest moments. He is a real “player”. His toughness and perseverance on the pitch will always be remembered and his kindness and smile off the pitch will always be missed. As an outstanding student-athlete and a prominent basketball player, his presence and influence on the La Follette community was far-reaching. His life on and off the field has had a profound effect on everyone who knew him. As we mourn this great loss to our community, we ask that you join us in remembering Derek’s friends, colleagues and family.
A GoFundMe page was set up by the Tip Club of the college basketball program to help Grey’s family with funeral expenses.
Sudden cardiac death is unfortunately rare in young basketball players. As Breitbart News reported in 2019, a study found that the majority of sudden cardiac deaths in youth sports occur in basketball players, and most of them occur during training.
You can follow Ethan Letkeman on Twitter at: @EthanLetkeman.
Source: Breitbart
