Dai-Jon Parker, Former College Basketball Star, Dies From Drowning Accident At Age 22
Dai-Jon Parker, a former guard for Vanderbilt University and the University of Indianapolis, died on Thursday after an apparent drowning accident, the Huffington Post reports.
According to the Indianapolis Star, a man’s body was pulled from the water at Morse Reservoir on Thursday night after witnesses said they saw a man fall off a tube that was being pulled behind a boat after it hit a large wave. The witnesses said the man was not wearing a life jacket.
Can't believe it. Never saw Dai without a smile on his face. You'll be missed by anyone who ever met you pic.twitter.com/ttpJzmygyu
— Evan Nolte (@EvanNolte) May 29, 2015
Units from the Cicero Fire Department, Noblesville Fire Department, and the Department of Natural Resources were dispatched to search for the drowning victim. By using sonar technology, Indiana Conservation officers were finally able to retrieve the body, two hours after he went missing.
My first backcourt mate where I knew what ever I did, he was going to have my back and vice versa. #RIPDJP pic.twitter.com/pblIvSpTnb
— Shannon Scott (@3SScott) May 29, 2015
The University of Indianapolis and law enforcement later identified the man as 22-year-old basketball star Dai-Jon Parker. After his death was confirmed, the university, where he transferred for his senior season, issued a statement on Parker’s behalf. Last season, Parker started all 31 games for Indianapolis and averaged 9.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Man RIP Dai Jon Parker can't believe it good dude since i met him in high school, prayers to his family!
— Jabari Brown (@Bari_BrownIDF) May 29, 2015
“The entire University of Indianapolis community mourns the loss of Dai-Jon Parker, a senior student-athlete with a vibrant personality who had a great future ahead,” the statement read.
“This is a tragic situation for everyone involved, and UIndy is offering counseling and support to the people closest to him. Please keep Dai-Jon’s family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.”
Parker’s former basketball coach at Vanderbilt, Kevin Stallings, also released a statement.
“We are extremely saddened with the news of Dai-Jon’s death. Everyone who watched him play basketball knew what kind of athlete he was. But, to those of us who knew him and loved him, he was as good and happy of a person as you would ever meet. He always had a smile on his face and I will always remember him for that smile and the positive spirit he had. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and others who were lucky enough to have met him. The Vanderbilt basketball family will miss him.”
[Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images]
