Ben Jordan, a University of Kentucky baseball player who also joined the basketball team, died Monday at the age of 22, the school announced.
No cause of death was provided.
The 6-foot 9-foot and 250-pound junior was a right-handed pitcher for the Wildcats and joined the powerful basketball program last season when faced with a shortage of players.
“Our hearts are broken today,” Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari said Tuesday in a statement released by the school. “It’s hard for me to express and express in words what a tragedy it is to lose a young person too soon. Ben impacted our team last season in many ways with his kind heart, big smile and wonderful personality. He was very worried about this place and it meant a lot to him to be part of this team ”.
Jordan appeared in two basketball games last season and was credited, thanks to his work in practice, with helping Nick Richards become a first-team All-Southeastern conference selection and in the Charlotte Hornets ’second-round pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
Jordan chose not to play basketball this season so he could focus on baseball, according to ESPN.
The native of Olive Hill, Kentucky, did not launch the campaign last spring because he was still with the basketball team when the baseball season was interrupted due to the pandemic.
In 2019, Jordan appeared in 8 ² / over innings for 10 games. He had an ERA of 7.27 and eight attack shots.
He changed his freshman season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“There are no words to express the shock and pain our team feels with the loss of Ben,” said baseball coach Nick Mingione. “It was an absolute joy to train and be close. His coaches, teammates and brothers loved him dearly. His smile, his sense of humor and his love for this university will never be forgotten.