NBA mourns death of Zeke Upshaw, G League player who collapsed during game
Two days after collapsing on the court during a G League game and being rushed to a hospital, Grand Rapids Drive forward Zeke Upshaw died Monday morning. He was 26.
Upshaw was standing on the court in the final minute of Saturday’s game between Grand Rapids, the G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, and the Long Island Nets, the minor league club of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, before he fell to the floor, team representative Sarah Jbara told Mlive.com. Medical personnel took Upshaw, a 6-foot-6 swingman who played college basketball at Illinois State and Hofstra before spending a couple of seasons playing in Europe, off the court on a stretcher and to a local hospital.
Upshaw’s mother, Jewel Upshaw, released a statement through the Drive on Monday to confirm that her son’s fight had ended:
Statement from Jewel Upshaw, Zeke's mother: “After continued efforts from the medical team at Spectrum Health, Zeke made his transition at 11:16 am. To family, friends, teammates, coaches, fans & confidants, thank you for your prayers and support during this most difficult time. pic.twitter.com/1AutFtIFwU
— Grand Rapids Drive (@grdrive) March 26, 2018
Jewel Upshaw (continued): "Details of his memorial will be announced at a later date. We’d like to thank the many doctors and nurses at Spectrum Health for their efforts in caring for our son. We’d also like to thank the Drive for the support they have extended to our family.” pic.twitter.com/sSLsWvfTny
— Grand Rapids Drive (@grdrive) March 26, 2018
Many members of the NBA community offered their condolences after news of Upshaw’s passing began to spread:
Prayers out to Zeke Upshaw’s family
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) March 26, 2018
My heart goes out to his family and friends! This is sad! https://t.co/jU4ayB8UNo
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 26, 2018
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Zeke Upshaw!!!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 26, 2018
R.I.P. https://t.co/DD4eqQ2RbN
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) March 26, 2018
My prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Zeke Upshaw
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) March 26, 2018
Praying For @zeke_upshaw Family & Friends! https://t.co/qreSPQKEH4
— Langston Galloway (@LangGalloway10) March 26, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with the Upshaw family and friends
— 7even (@iAmSJ) March 26, 2018
Praying for the family, friends and teammates of zeke upshaw that’s really tragic. Rest In Paradise brother
— SAUCE (@dsloan15) March 26, 2018
Hurts to see the news about Zeke Upshaw. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends.
— Ray McCallum (@RayMac3) March 26, 2018
U Never know the time our the hour RIP Zeke cherish your ppl while they are here
— Marcus Thornton (@OfficialMT23) March 26, 2018
Hearing about the passing of Zeke Upshaw has me in a emotional state, once I was laid out on the floor the same way not knowing what would come about…all I can do is say a prayer for his family and thank GOD I’m still here man this is terrible news
— Marquis Daniels (@Marquis_Daniels) March 26, 2018
I’m heartbroken hearing about the passing of Zeke Upshaw. 26 years old – out there just doing something that he loves. If I can help their family in anyway, @PistonsGT / @DetroitPistons, let me know. This just makes me so sad for his family and friends.
— Joe Smith (@JoeBeast95) March 26, 2018
“The NBA G League family is devastated by the tragic passing of Zeke Upshaw,” G League President Malcolm Turner said in a statement. “Zeke was an outstanding young man whose powerful belief in himself and uncommon perseverance led to a successful professional basketball career. A beloved member of the Grand Rapids Drive, Zeke’s continuous improvement and tireless work ethic were hallmarks of his career. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and the Drive organization.”
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Dan Devine is a writer and editor for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@oath.com or follow him on Twitter!
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