08-07-2020, 07:58 PM
Nigerian basketball player, Michael Ojo dies at 27 after suffering a heart attack during training in Serbia
Nigerian-American basketball player, Michael Ojo has passed away after suffering a heart attack during training in Belgrade, Serbia.
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The 27-year-old who previously played for Red Star Belgrade was reportedly having an individual practice at Partizan’s stadium when he collapsed on Friday, August 7.Â
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Local media said he was rushed to the hospital from Partizan’s stadium but showed no signs of life and was confirmed dead.Â
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“We are deeply saddened by the news”, Red Star’s spokesperson Igor Vujicin told AFP.
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The Lagos-born who was 7ft 1in tall and weighed 22st played for Florida State University in the United States, before starting his professional career in Belgrade, Serbia with FMP for a year after which he played two seasons for Crvena Zvezda.
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He won the 2018 ABA SuperCup as well as the ABA League and the Serbian League in 2019. Ojo was a free agent this summer.
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Ojo had been without a club since June 30 but was training with Red Star.
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Red Star Belgrade released a statement mourning the shocking loss of their former star.
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“The sudden and shocking death of Michael Ojo has deeply affected everyone — players, coaches and the management of a club that accepted him from the first day, and that he considered his own,” Red Star said.
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His former teammates and EuroLeague also extended condolences to Ojo’s family, teammates, coaches, “and many fans who enjoyed his performances”.
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Nigerian-American basketball player, Michael Ojo has passed away after suffering a heart attack during training in Belgrade, Serbia.
Â
The 27-year-old who previously played for Red Star Belgrade was reportedly having an individual practice at Partizan’s stadium when he collapsed on Friday, August 7.Â
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Local media said he was rushed to the hospital from Partizan’s stadium but showed no signs of life and was confirmed dead.Â
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“We are deeply saddened by the news”, Red Star’s spokesperson Igor Vujicin told AFP.
Â
The Lagos-born who was 7ft 1in tall and weighed 22st played for Florida State University in the United States, before starting his professional career in Belgrade, Serbia with FMP for a year after which he played two seasons for Crvena Zvezda.
Â
He won the 2018 ABA SuperCup as well as the ABA League and the Serbian League in 2019. Ojo was a free agent this summer.
Â
Ojo had been without a club since June 30 but was training with Red Star.
Â
Red Star Belgrade released a statement mourning the shocking loss of their former star.
Â
“The sudden and shocking death of Michael Ojo has deeply affected everyone — players, coaches and the management of a club that accepted him from the first day, and that he considered his own,” Red Star said.
Â
His former teammates and EuroLeague also extended condolences to Ojo’s family, teammates, coaches, “and many fans who enjoyed his performances”.
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