On Tuesday night, an East Texas high school basketball player succumbed to a medical emergency mid-game. Devonte Mumphrey, just a sophomore in the Alto Independent School District, was on the court playing for his high school basketball team, the Yellowjackets, when he collapsed.
The Alto Independent School District has issued a statement addressing the tragic situation. On Wednesday, the high school called in counselors and local pastors to help students through the grieving process.
“During the coming days and weeks, we will provide our students, staff, and community the support needed to process the tragedy,” Superintendent Kelly West said in the statement.
“All of Alto ISD sends its deepest condolences to the student’s family. Please keep our community in your prayers,” West added.
During the course of his high school basketball career, Devonte Mumphrey made his mark. This past January, he was nominated for Davie Campbell’s Week 12 Mr. Texas Basketball, per WFAA. The talented player, who wore jersey number thirteen, was named District 22-2A Newcomer of the Year during the 2020-2021 season.
Mumphrey’s cousin, Jessica Hackney, spoke with the Tyler Morning Telegraph to share the impact the teen had on his family and those around him.
“You couldn’t have met a better kid. He had respect. I never saw him with an attitude,” Hackney shared. She added, “He was the kind of kid that touched everybody. Family and friends were most important to Vonte. He was a good kid. This all feels like a dream; it doesn’t feel real.”
Several individuals who knew Devonte Mumphrey shared their memories, thoughts, and sadness across social media over the loss of the young man who will be missed in his community.
According to the Tyler Morning Telegraph, the autopsy report revealed that the young man died from “unspecified blunt impact” caused by cardiac arrest during the high school basketball game.