Indy guard, ex-Vandy player Dai-Jon Parker dies in tubing accident

University of Indianapolis basketball star Dai-Jon Parker, 22, died Thursday when he drowned following a tubing accident.

"The entire University of Indianapolis community mourns the loss of Dai-Jon Parker, a senior student-athlete with a vibrant personality who had a great future ahead," the university said in a statement.

"This is a tragic situation for everyone involved and UIndy is offering counseling and support to the people closest to him. Please keep Dai-Jon's family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers."

According to the Indianapolis Star, the former Vanderbilt player was pulled from the Morse Reservoir around 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, after witnesses who were with Parker said a wave knocked him and another man off an inflatable tube they were in and into the water while being pulled by a pontoon boat.

When Parker failed to resurface, police were called and a search for a drowning victim commenced.

The Department of Natural Resources is investigating whether alcohol was involved.

Commodores coach Kevin Stallings released his own statement on the tragedy:

We are extremely saddened with the news of Dai-Jon's death. Everyone who watched him play basketball knew what kind of athlete he was. But, to those of us who knew him and loved him, he was as good and happy of a person as you would ever meet. He always had a smile on his face and I will always remember him for that smile and the positive spirit he had. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and others who were lucky enough to have met him. The Vanderbilt basketball family will miss him.

Stallings made the decision last summer to not allow Parker and guard Kedren Johnson back for a senior season after he said the pair failed to meet the on and off-court standards that come with being a Commodore.