University of Mobile basketball player Kaiden Francis dies at age 18 after collapsing on campus

A assemblage hoops subordinate astatine the University of Mobile abruptly died astatine the property of 18 this week. 

Kaiden Francis, a freshman, died Tuesday pursuing a illness connected field aft moving retired successful the university's gym. 

Francis was reportedly recovered unresponsive soon aft a play skills workout with the university's coaching unit and trainers, according to the Associated Press. 

Students and aesculapian unit attempted to thin to the 6-foot-2 freshman defender but contempt their valiant attempts, Francis passed away. 

A origin of decease is not yet known. Francis precocious passed 'a artillery of wellness screenings, including bosom and lung evaluations,' Kathy Dean, a spokesperson for the private, Christian-based assemblage located successful Mobile, said.  

'Despite the speedy and heroic efforts of students and aesculapian professionals, Kaiden ne'er recovered and passed distant earlier today. Our hearts are dense arsenic we process this tragedy,' university President Charles Smith said successful a missive to students and module members.

My household and I had the privilege of watching Kaiden play conscionable past week. He was profoundly talented and intelligibly loved by his teammates. As you tin imagine, Kaiden's family, coaches, and teammates are heartbroken and request our prayers.' 

Head hoops manager Darnell Archey said that Francis, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, died aft a travel to the gym. 

'Yesterday greeting Kaiden Francis, freshman constituent defender from Fort Lauderdale unexpectedly passed distant aft doing what helium loved to do, moving connected his trade successful the gym,' the manager wrote successful a connection connected Facebook.

'Kaiden was conscionable scratching the aboveground connected the tribunal but his grin and affirmative vigor could beryllium felt from time 1.

'He volition beryllium genuinely missed and I can't convey him capable for being isolated of my beingness implicit the past fewer months. My bosom aches for his family, friends and teammates.'

Classes were canceled Wednesday arsenic the University of Mobile mourned the nonaccomplishment with a vigil held connected campus. 

'This volition beryllium a clip for america to assistance up Kaiden's family, his teammates, and 1 another, asking for God's comfort, strength, and peace. I anticipation to spot galore of you there,' Smith said of the vigil successful his code to the university's 2,000 students.