BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Former UCLA basketball player dead at 22 after going missing

UCLA forward Jalen Hill takes a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

carousel

More U.S.

BE - Test Share

More Sports

(KTLA) – Former UCLA men’s basketball player Jalen Hill has died at 22, family members and the university confirmed late Tuesday.

Details surrounding the cause of Hill’s death are limited, but his family confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that Hill had gone missing in Costa Rica.

Hill, a forward and center, joined the UCLA Bruins in 2017 and played for three seasons before leaving the team in 2021 due to struggles with anxiety and depression, according to the LA Times.

In 2017, Hill made international headlines after becoming embroiled in a shoplifting incident while visiting Hangzhou, China, on a cultural exchange trip with the university. Hill was later suspended for the incident along with his teammates LiAngelo Ball and Cody Riley.

“The news of Jalen Hill’s passing is heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” UCLA men’s basketball head coach Mick Cronin posted on Twitter. “Jalen was a warm-hearted young man with a great smile who has left us far too soon.”

UCLA Men’s Basketball reacted to the news of Hill’s passing, saying: “Our program is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Jalen Hill. We offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Hill was born in Tampa, Florida, and attended Centennial High School in Corona, California, where he was ranked the No. 47 high school basketball player in the nation.

During his career with UCLA, he played 77 games and averaged 6.5 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Sports

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

60°F Sunny Feels like 60°
Wind
4 mph ESE
Humidity
55%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
48°F Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph N
Precip
2%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent