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Revision as of 17:39, 27 March 2018 by Bagumba (talk | contribs) (G League's name at the time)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1991-05-27)May 27, 1991 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | March 26, 2018(2018-03-26) (aged 26) Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | U. of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Chicago, Illinois) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 2014: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2014–2018 |
| Position | Small forward |
| Career history | |
| 2014–2015 | Helios Suns |
| 2015–2016 | Basket Esch |
| 2016–2018 | Grand Rapids Drive |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Zena Ray "Zeke" Upshaw (May 27, 1991 – March 26, 2018) was an American professional basketball player. He began his college basketball career with the Illinois State Redbirds. After playing sparingly for three seasons, Upshaw transferred to join the Hofstra Pride, where he led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in scoring and was named second-team all-conference. He played professionally overseas in Slovenia and Luxembourg before returning to the U.S. and joining the Grand Rapids Drive in the NBA Development League, known later as the NBA G League. In the Drive's regular-season finale in 2017–18, Upshaw collapsed on the court in the game's final minute. He died two days later.
High school career
Upshaw was born in Chicago. As a child at Toys "R" Us, he gravitated toward basketballs over all the other toys in the store.
He attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools where he averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists as a junior in 2008, when he was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the Independent School League.
College career
After redshirting his first year at Illinois State, Upshaw played three years for the Redbirds, albeit with minimal playing time. He averaged 1.6 points per game, while never averaging more than 7.4 minutes played per game. He graduated from Illinois State with a degree in apparel, merchandising and design in 2013, but transferred to Hofstra for his final season of NCAA eligibility. Upshaw exercised the graduate transfer exception, which enables players who have already received their degree to be eligible immediately at another school while studying for a post-graduate degree.
On January 15, 2014, Upshaw scored 27 points and tied a Hofstra record with seven three-pointers in a 69–64 win over UNC-Wilmington. He led the CAA in scoring at 19.8 points per game, and earned second-team All-CAA honors.
Professional career
Upshaw went undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft. After playing for Helios Suns in Slovenia and Basket Esch in Luxembourg, he returned to the U.S. and played two seasons with the Grand Rapids Drive after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NBA Development League Draft.
On March 24, 2018, Upshaw scored 11 points in the regular-season finale to earn a playoff spot for Grand Rapids in a 101–99 home win over the Long Island Nets. In the game's final minute, however, he collapsed and was taken off the court at DeltaPlex Arena on a stretcher. Two days later on March 26, he died in the hospital at the age of 26.
References
- "NBA G League player Zeke Upshaw passes away after on-court collapse during game". NBA.com. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- Herrmann, Mark (March 17, 2014). "Zeke Upshaw and Hofstra have been a great match". Newsday.
- "Zeke Upshaw". GoHofstra.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- Benson, Jim (August 19, 2008). "Redbirds Get Yet Another Commitment". The Pantagraph. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
- Kindred, Randy (March 29, 2013). "Upshaw Moving On From Redbirds". The Pantagraph – via Newspapers.com.
- Kieran, Darcy (January 26, 2014). "Hofstra reboot required more than Pride". ESPN.com.
- Hamilton, Brian (January 31, 2014). "Hofstra's Upshaw makes huge leap thanks to graduate transfer rule". SI.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- DeCourcy, Mike (January 30, 2014). "After years of DNPs, Hofstra's Upshaw takes pride in being nation's most improved". Sporting News.
- "Zeke Upshaw scores 27 to lead Pride win". Newsday. January 15, 2014.
- Kussoy, Howie (January 24, 2014). "Mihalich, Upshaw return Pride to Hofstra basketball". New York Post.
- Marcus, Steven (March 26, 2018). "Former Hofstra player Zeke Upshaw dies after collapsing in NBA G League game". Newsday.
- Fairbank, Dave (March 7, 2014). "All-CAA hoops voting". Daily Press.
- "NBA G-LEAGUE PLAYER ZEKE UPSHAW DIES AFTER COLLAPSING DURING GAME". BeINSports.com. March 27, 2018.
- ^ Ward-Henninger, Colin (March 26, 2018). "Zeke Upshaw dies after collapsing during NBA G League game". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ "Former Illinois State player under doctors' care after collapses during NBA G League game". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Doyle, Ricky (March 26, 2018). "NBA Community Shows Love For G League Player Who Died After On-Court Collapse". NESN.com.
External links
Categories:- 1991 births
- 2018 deaths
- American expatriate basketball people in Luxembourg
- American expatriate basketball people in Slovenia
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball players from Illinois
- Grand Rapids Drive players
- Hofstra Pride men's basketball players
- Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball players
- Small forwards
- Sports deaths in Michigan
- Sportspeople from Chicago