A junior college basketball player died on Tuesday after suffering a head injury during a weekend game in Texas, his school in eastern Oklahoma said.
Ethan Dietz, a 6-foot-8 forward for the Connors State College Cowboys, "was injured during a men's basketball game on Saturday" before passing away three days later, according to a school statement.
"The Cowboy family has suffered an unimaginable loss,"the school said. "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."
That initial statement posted on Tuesday didn't elaborate on the nature of Dietz's injury or his cause of death.
But Connors State spokesperson Shannon Rigsby on Wednesday disclosed that "initial reports indicate it was a head injury."
"We have requested the tape of the game to look into that," Rigsby said.
TheConway, Arkansas native Dietzwas injured in the second half of the Cowboys' 69-64 loss atGrayson College in Denison, Texas.
In the wake of Dietz's passing, Connors State canceled its next two men's basketball games and following pair of women's hoops contests.
"Ethan's loss reminds us all how precious life is and how much those around us impact our lives," the school said. "As we move through this loss together as a community, let's be inspired by Ethan's spirit, friendship and love."
In eight games this season, Dietz averaged 11 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.