Deng Mayar, a graduate student forward on the Omaha men’s basketball team, died over the weekend in a drowning incident, the school announced on Sunday, Aug. 17.
He was 22 years old.
‘Our entire program is devastated to learn of Deng’s passing. After competing against him for two years, we were elated to add him to our team and he made tremendous progress this summer,’ said Omaha men’s basketball coach Chris Crutchfield in a statement. ‘Deng was a joy to be around and made our culture better. We will miss him greatly. Jodi and I, along with our entire program, send our hearts and prayers to Deng’s family, friends and teammates.’
Added Omaha chancellor Joanne Li:
‘We are devastated to learn of Deng’s passing. On behalf of our university community, our love and sincere condolences are with his family during this difficult time. We also wish his friends and teammates in Omaha, North Dakota, and Salt Lake City family, peace as they process this tragic loss.’
Officials in Herriman, Utah told Fox 13 in Salt Lake City that Mayar was swimming at the Blackridge Reservoir on Saturday, Aug. 16, when he went under the water and didn’t resurface. Mayar was with a friend who was also struggling in the water, but managed to reach the shore before going back in to try to help Mayar.
Local rescue crews searched for hours for Mayar after he went underwater about 35 feet from the shore. A submersible robot located him late Saturday night and his body was pulled out of the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mayar’s friend, Sa Mafutaga, was hospitalized and is expected to recover.
Mayar, who was raised in Salt Lake City, was preparing to play his first season at Omaha after spending the previous two seasons at North Dakota, where he averaged 6.3 points and four rebounds per game last season.