A talented basketball player from Alabama has died at the age of 17 after he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed on the court.
Parents with children at Pinson Valley High School in Jefferson County were informed of the death of student, Caleb White, after the emergency took place while he was at school on Thursday (10 August).
White, who was a senior, was one of three finalists for Class 6A basketball player of the year when he was a junior, and was a first-team all-state selection.
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As a sophomore, he averaged 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and also had 71 steals.
White’s grandfather, George Varnadoe Jr., announced on Facebook that the teen had been training with his team when he collapsed late on Thursday morning.
Varnadoe Jr. claimed Whites had suffered a cardiac arrest and likened his experience to' 'the illness LaBron James' son experienced as he was working out', referring to how James' eldest son, Bronny, suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a practice on the Trojans campus on 24 July.
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The Jefferson County Coroner is yet to officially announce White's cause of death.
Attempts were quickly made to try and resuscitate White, but he was sadly pronounced dead after being transported to hospital.
"Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support but still in disbelief," Varnadoe Jr. wrote in his announcement.
"Our whole family was really looking forward to his upcoming senior season and afterwards, playing for a D-1 school and then perhaps the NBA. But... it wasn't meant to be."
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"Please continued to pray for my family," he added.
The grandfather described White as an 'honor student, very respectful, high intellect, excellent role model, phenomenal basketball player, ranked 25th best point guard in his class in the nation and No. 2 in the state of Alabama'.
Principal Michael Turner shared the news of White's death with parents, who were informed that counseling would be available to students and staff in the coming days.
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Pinson Mayor Joe Cochran paid tribute to White on Facebook following the news of his death, writing: "Heartbroken. No words can be gathered to provide comfort to a family and community experience the loss of young life.
“I was honored to know Caleb personally and loved the spirit he carried. Life is fleeting. Enjoy every day as the treasure it is. I know Caleb did.”
Alvin Briggs, executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, also extended his thoughts to White's 'family, his classmates and basketball team and extended school family'.
“He was an outstanding student-athlete and role model," Briggs added.
Topics: US News, Health, Sport, Basketball
Emily Brown