Nationwide — Ethan Dietz, an African American basketball player at a junior college in Warner, Oklahoma, died after being injured during a game, leaving his team and community in shock. The 6-foot-8 forward had been one of Connors State College’s rising players this season.
Dietz, a sophomore from Vilonia, Arkansas, was hurt in the second half of a game on Saturday in Texas, as reported by KATV. He played 20 minutes, scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds before the injury. He was believed to have suffered a head injury, but no further details were released.
The injury occurred with about 16 minutes left when Dietz went up for a shot under the basket and was inadvertently struck by an opposing player’s elbow. He grabbed his head in pain and was helped off the court by two teammates once a media timeout halted play.
On the bench, athletic trainers and an assistant coach checked on him, but it remains unclear if he received medical treatment during the game. Despite the hit to his head, Dietz reentered the game a few minutes later. During his brief return, he was seen touching his head several times.
Another timeout came soon after, and Dietz appeared to take himself out. He walked to the bench, covered his head with a towel, and stayed seated for the remainder of the game. He did not join huddles, celebrate with teammates, or participate in the handshake line. A teammate later helped him off the court. The following day, the college said he was taken to a nearby hospital.
Connors State confirmed his death on Tuesday. Several of the college’s basketball games were canceled as the community began to mourn.
In a statement, the college honored Dietz’s dedication, saying, “Ethan exemplified what it means to be a Cowboy, to value hard work and being part of a team. While the team and the Cowboy community are processing our own grief, our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
Dietz had been averaging 11 points per game through eight games this season. The college scheduled a vigil for him on December 1 at its Warner, Oklahoma, campus, giving the community a chance to honor his life and legacy.