Southern Indiana Basketball Player Dies on Court

by Peter Stenson

According to the Evans Courier and Press, Jeron Lewis, 21, a Center for Southern Indiana University, died yesterday on the court in a game against Kentucky Wesleyan.

After collapsing near the end of the game, Lewis was rushed to Owensboro Medical Health System. He was pronounced dead at 9:52. The cause of his death is unknown. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

On a statement released on the USI website, Linda Bennett, the University President wrote, “The University community is heartbroken with the passing of this outstanding young man.” Bennett went on to say, “He will be truly missed, not only by his teammates, but by the University community.”

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the 6-foot-8 center transferred to USI after playing for Wabash Valley Junior College. Lewis was a much-coveted recruit coming out of high school, ranked by collegehoopsnet.com as the third best player coming out of Indiana, ahead of Memphis Grizzly’s guard Mike Conley Jr.