Gbenro Adesina
Nigerian basketball player, Michael Olalekan Ojo, has died on August 7 2020 at the age of 27 in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, after suffering a heart attack.
The 7’1″, 310-lb center was practicing on Friday with Serbian pro basketball team Partizan at the team facility when he collapsed while running, according to Eurohoops.net.
Ojo was reportedly raced to a nearby hospital in Belgrade but doctors were unable to save him.
Born on January 5, 1993 in Lagos, Ojo played for Florida State University in the United States before coming to Europe to start his professional career.
After a stint with the Belgrade team FMP Zeleznik, he moved to European giants Red Star, where he spent two seasons, quickly becoming a fan favourite.
He also played for KK Crvena zvezda Basketball club. He won the 2018 ABA SuperCup as well as the ABA League and the Serbian League in 2019.
Ojo had been without a club since June 30 but was training in Belgrade.
His former team released a statement mourning the loss of the “cheerful giant”.
“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.
EuroLeague also extended condolences to Ojo’s family, teammates, coaches, “and many fans who enjoyed his performances”.
President of Florida State University, John Thrasher, tweeted, “The FSU family is heartbroken by the passing of Michael Ojo. We’ll always remember him as a kind, compassionate person and a committed student-athlete. I’ll never forget the big hug we shared when he walked across the stage at commencement. We will miss him”.
