Nebraska College Basketball Player Drowns In Utah Reservoir

A University of Nebraska Omaha hoops subordinate was identified arsenic a drowning unfortunate astatine a reservoir successful nan Salt Lake City area complete nan play aft divers recovered his body.

Authorities received 911 calls connected Saturday evening regarding 2 group "in distress" astatine nan Blackridge Reservoir, according to a connection from nan Herriman City Police Department connected Sunday. One man, identified arsenic Sa Mafutaga, was capable to aquatics to statement connected his own, constabulary said.

Deng Mayar.Omaha Athletics

Deng Mayar, a 22-year-old collegiate athlete, continued to struggle successful nan water. Police said Mafutaga went backmost into nan reservoir to thief him but was incapable to rescue him.

Police utilized a submersible to hunt nan waters for hours, yet locating Mayar's assemblage and sending a dive squad to retrieve him from nan water. Mafutaga was taken to a infirmary and is expected to recover.

The University of Nebraska astatine Omaha released a connection mourning nan "tragic loss" of Mayar connected Sunday. Chris Crutchfield, nan hoops team's caput coach, said they were delighted to bring Mayar connected arsenic a transportation aft competing against him for 2 years.

"Deng was a joyousness to beryllium astir and made our civilization better," Crutchfield said. "We will miss him greatly."

Mayar was a 6-foot-7 guardant who studied business management astatine Omaha, according to his Omaha Athletics profile. He was 1 of 7 siblings from Salt Lake City.

He was besides connected nan varsity squad for each 4 years astatine Judge Memorial Catholic High School, finishing 4th astatine nan authorities tourney successful his elder year. Prior to his play pinch nan University of Nebraska Omaha, Mayar attended inferior assemblage and transferred to nan University of North Dakota.

In 2 seasons astatine nan University of North Dakota, Mayar made 42 appearances and 15 starts. His floor plan noted that he racked up 59 points arsenic a inferior and was 4th successful steals connected past season's squad.

The University of North Dakota besides released a connection expressing its "deepest condolences" to Mayar's family and friend's pursuing his death.

Coach Paul Sather described Mayar arsenic a "wonderful personification pinch a bosom nan size of a gym."

"As competitory arsenic he was connected nan court, he had a gentle quality and benignant psyche disconnected nan court," Sather said. "Deng will beryllium greatly missed by each of those that knew and loved him.”