School basketball team rallies after teammate dies on court
James Hampton, a Class of 2019 prospect out of Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, collapsed on the basketball court during a Nike Elite Youth Basketball League game while playing for AAU program Team United and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter Saturday night.
He was 17 years old.
Hampton had a history of seizures
Hampton was running down the court and turned to a nearby ref and said “Hey ref” before he collapsed, per Team United director Jacoby Davis.
“He just fell down on the floor,” Davis told the News & Observer. “He had seizures a year ago and I remember (one of the Team United coaches) telling me that, ‘I saw his eyes rolling back in his head.’ I ran on the court thinking he was having a seizure. A trainer came over and said he didn’t know what was wrong. Another trainer checked his pulse. He said he didn’t have a pulse. It got crazy after that.”
Medical personnel immediately rushed onto the court and began CPR on Hampton. Play was stopped and later suspended on all four courts. Hampton was quickly taken to Sentara CarePlex Hospital, less than a mile away from the Boo Williams Sports Complex in Hampton, Va., where the team was playing.
The team bounced back and decided to play on Sunday
Team United played Sunday, getting a 62-51 win over All Ohio Red.
“They want to play Sunday,” Davis said Saturday night. “They really want to finish it up. The coaches are just torn up right now. So it’s going to be tough, but it’s what the kids want to do.”
Great gesture on Nike’s part having all of its teams prior to today’s games remembering James Hampton and the Team United family after his passing last night pic.twitter.com/EDb85xONsC
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) May 27, 2018
With the win, Team United remains in the running to qualify for the esteemed Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament in July, where many of the nation’s top AAU team compete as college recruiting heats up.
Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and others took to Twitter to express their condolences.
Several prominent people in the basketball community tweeted out their sorrow to Hampton’s family and team, including Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, who was in attendance.
Emotional day at Nike EYBL in Virginia after the passing of James Hampton. My thoughts go out to the young man’s family, friends and teammates. RIP, James. pic.twitter.com/E2fhTIHCqA
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) May 27, 2018
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 28, 2018
Prayers up to his family. Rest easy young hooper! https://t.co/PEQSr26Unm
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 27, 2018
Couldn't even imagine. RIP James Hampton…
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 27, 2018
Couldn't even imagine. RIP James Hampton…
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 27, 2018
As I sit and watch my son play this morning all I can do is think about James Hampton. I never met u however I am 4 u, your family and @teamunitedhoops God always has a plan #RIP young man
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) May 27, 2018
RIP James Hampton. He was just a kid doing what he loved to do. GOD got you now though lil homie. Prayers to his family & teammates
— Will Barton (@WillTheThrillB5) May 27, 2018
RIP James Hampton
— UPMΛN™ (@WenyenGabriel) May 27, 2018