G Leaguer Zeke Upshaw dies after collapsing on court

John Chick ·
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Zeke Upshaw #13 of the Grand Rapids Drive drives to the basket during a game against the Austin Spurs at The DeltaPlex Arena on November 25, 2016 in Walker, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE
Allison Farrand / National Basketball Association / Getty

Grand Rapids Drive forward Zeke Upshaw died Monday morning in a Michigan hospital, his mother told the team. He was 26.

Upshaw collapsed on the court late in Saturday's game against the Long Island Nets. Some reports initially suggested he had suffered a cardiac event, although no official cause of death was given.

"The NBA G League is devastated by the tragic passing of Zeke Upshaw," league president Malcolm Turner said in a statement. "Zeke was an outstanding young man whose powerful belief in himself and uncommon perseverance led to a successful professional basketball career."

Upshaw, a Chicago native, played college basketball at Illinois State and Hofstra before spending two seasons in Europe. He joined the G League's Drive in 2016.

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