An 18-year-old freshman basketball player collapsed and died on the University of Mobile campus Tuesday morning. The deceased student has been identified as Kaiden Francis from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Students and medical professionals quickly came to the freshman guard’s aid, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
“Despite the quick and heroic efforts of students and medical professionals, Kaiden never recovered and passed away. Our hearts are heavy as we process this tragedy,” said the university’s president, Dr. Charles Smith.
The cause of the 6-foot-2 freshman’s death has yet to be disclosed. Francis was found unresponsive shortly after finishing his weekly skills workout with coaching staff and trainers, despite showing no signs of underlying issues in recent heart and lung evaluations.
Responding to the tragedy, the Alabama university canceled classes Wednesday to allow the community time to grieve and pray. A campus-wide memorial service was held at 10 a.m., and a scheduled basketball game for Wednesday evening was postponed.
Smith praised Francis’s talent, saying, “My family and I had the privilege of watching Kaiden play just last week. He was profoundly gifted and clearly loved by his teammates.”
“As you can imagine, Kaiden’s family, coaches, and teammates are heartbroken and need our prayers,” Smith added.
The University of Mobile Rams basketball team is currently ranked No. 24. In their recent victory over Life University, Francis contributed 10 points off the bench, helping the team improve their season record.
Smith encouraged students and staff to find comfort in their faith during this difficult time. The university has made counseling services available to students who may need support, with classes expected to resume on Thursday.
