Dai-Jon Parker, a former guard for Vanderbilt University and the University of Indianapolis, died of apparent drowning, according to CBSSports.com.
CBSSports.com said Parker drowned at the Morse Reservoir in Indiana on Thursday, citing unnamed sources and referencing a report from the Indianapolis Star. The University of Indianapolis confirmed his death, in a statement released to Fox 59:
"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. This is a tragic situation for everyone involved, and UIndy is offering counseling and support to the people closest to him. Please keep Dai-Jonโs family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers."
From the Indianapolis Star's report:
Witnesses who were with the man before he vanished underwater told investigators that they were pulling him and another man behind a pontoon boat on an inner-tube when they hit a large wave that threw both the men off the inflated tube into the water.
Parker, who played for three years at Vanderbilt, appearing in all 31 games his junior season and starting in 26, transferred last season to the University of Indianapolis.
At Indianapolis, the 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 9.4 points per game.
On Friday, Parker's former basketball coach, at Vanderbilt, Kevin Stallings, released a statement following the news of Parker's death.
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.