Rising basketball player Deng Mayar dies at 22

Deng Mayar, a rising basketball player, has passed away. He was 22.

Authorities confirmed his death in a media release shared on X, saying that he died in a drowning incident at Blackridge Reservoir in Herring, Utah last weekend.

According to the police, he was with his friend—identified as Sa Mafutaga, 21—before he struggled underwater. "Mafutaga reentered the reservoir in an attempt to assist Ador but was unable to do so," they said.

Bystanders rushed to the shore to rescue Mafutaga. He was given immediate assistance before he was transported to a nearby hospital where he's now recovering.

An investigation on the matter is ongoing, while the reservoir will remain closed until further notice.

Mayar was a graduate student from University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he represented the Omaha Men’s Basketball Team. He played two seasons for the University of North Dakota basketball team, with whom he made 42 appearances with 15 games for the Fighting Hawks. As a senior, he had an average of 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.

In a tribute to Mayar, coach Chris Crutchfield expressed his gratitude for having him on their team. "We will miss him greatly," he said.

North Dakota coach Paul Sather also mourned his death, describing him as "a wonderful person with a heart the size of a gym."

Summit League commissioner Josh Fenton also issued a statement on Mayar's passing.

"The Summit League and our entire membership mourn the passing of Omaha men's basketball student-athlete, Deng Mayar. Although competitors on the playing surface, our members are close-knit and we are heartbroken for everyone affected by this tragedy," he said. "The Summit League sends condolences and lifts up the family members, friends, and teammates of Deng, along with the campus communities of Omaha and North Dakota. He will be greatly missed."