University of Mobile (Ala.) freshman Kaiden Francis died Tuesday at the age of 18 after collapsing on campus, school President Charles Smith announced in a letter to faculty, staff and students.
Francis was found “unresponsive” after his weekly skills workout with the schools’s coaching staff and trainers, spokesperson Kathy Dean told the Associated Press.
A cause of death has not yet been released, per the report.
Smith praised the “quick and heroic efforts of students and medical professionals” and said “our hearts are heavy as we process this tragedy.”
The school canceled classes Wednesday and held a vigil that day, along with postponing Wednesday’s and this upcoming Saturday’s games.
“My family and I had the privilege of watching Kaiden play just last week,” Smith wrote. “He was profoundly gifted and clearly loved by his teammate. As you can imagine, Kaiden’s family, coaches, and teammates are heartbroken and need our prayers.”
Francis, a 6-foot-2 guard from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., averaged 5.5 points on 42.4 percent shooting spanning six games this season for the Rams.
Francis tallied a career-best 10 points in his last game on Nov. 16 against Life University.
The University of Mobile is a private “Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences university,” per its website, and the hoops team ranked 24th in the Nov. 13 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics coaches’ poll.
Dean told the AP that Glover recently cleared “a battery of health screenings, including heart and lung evaluations.”
“None of these tests indicated health concerns,” Dean also told the publication. “Out of respect for the family, we have no plans to comment further at this time.”
Mobile coach Darnell Archey posted a heartfelt note on Facebook about Francis.
“Yesterday morning Kaiden Francis, freshman point guard from Fort Lauderdale unexpectedly passed away after doing what he loved to do, working on his craft in the gym,” Archey wrote.
“Kaiden was just scratching the surface on the court but his smile and positive energy could be felt from day 1.
“He will be truly missed and I can’t thank him enough for being apart of my life over the past few months. My heart aches for his family, friends and teammates.”
Achey also told Fox 10 that Francis would have been a star player and he had an “infectious” smile.
“He won over the locker room and definitely won over my heart. He was a special kid to coach,” Archey told the outlet. “I have many sons, and I lost one of those this past week, but he will always have a place in my heart.”