There is word out of Owensboro, Kentucky that a University of Southern Indiana basketball player has died tonight after suffering an injury during a game against rival Kentucky Wesleyan College.

(credit: USI.edu)

Jeron Lewis, 21, was evidently injured late in the second half of this game between two highly-ranked Division II teams, but details are hazy right now in terms of what specifically caused this tragedy.  The cited article above states that Lewis “got his feet tangled” and collapsed to ground, hit his head, suffered convulsions at the scene, and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.  An autopsy will follow tomorrow morning to determine the exact cause of death.

Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lewis had just celebrated the birth of his first child — a son named Jamel — in December.

Though such words must ring pretty hollow to Lewis’ family and friends at a time like this, everyone here at Rush The Court wishes to extend their condolences and deepest sympathies to Jeron Lewis’ loved ones and the entire University of Southern Indiana basketball family.  If, like most of the world, you are sending up prayers for the people of Haiti tonight — most of whom lived in unspeakable conditions BEFORE the earthquake happened — please, take a moment to say one for this young man and his family, who are going through their own version of hell tonight.