NBA Republic
Jalen Hill, a former UCLA player, has died at the age of 22 in a bizarre circumstance. This has been revealed by the UCLA basketball team coach in the early hours of Wednesday. Sept. 21.
Coach Mick Cronin said in a statement that Jalen Hill death is “heartbreaking”. He further described Hill as a warn-hearted young man with a good smile.
“The news of Jalen Hill’s passing is heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Jalen was a warm-hearted young man with a great smile who has left us far too soon,” Cronin’s statement on twitter reads.
Hill’s lifeless body was reportedly found on Tuesday, Sept. 20, a day after going missing in Costa Rica.
Born and raised in Corona, Jalen Hill joined the UCLA program in 2017. However, he opted to retire from basketball in the middle of the 2021-22 season due to what he claimed was depression and anxiety.
Meanwhile, as the news of Hill’s death broke out, the whole basketball community have been paying tributes to him.
A former schoolmate to the late star recounted how Hill stood by her when she was getting bullied by her other schoolmates.
“…Hill was one of the few people to stick up for me in school when I was getting bullied. He was always so funny and just awesome to be around. Rest in power,” Marci tweeted.
Check below some reactions to Hill’s death
My favorite Jalen Hill moment was him opening up to us and the world about why he was stepping away from basketball. The vulnerability he displayed with the power to spread his word was so beautiful. A life lost too soon
— Westwood Bruins (@WestwoodBruins) September 21, 2022
I'm a journalist, but I'm also human. I'm devastated. Jalen Hill was such a sweetheart. I'll always remember his smile, even in the worst of times. The last time we spoke, after he announced his retirement, he laughed as we hung up.
Thank you, Jalen. You will always be special. https://t.co/1A334Lr8UO
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) September 21, 2022
I Don’t Know where to Begin. When we 1st met when you were still wearing the goggles. To Becoming a great player & young man at UCLA. We traveled all over the world together. Magic, UCLA, USA.
I hope you know how much I Love You and it hurts that I can’t tell U 1 more time 💙🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/D4bQ0qV61x— Etop Udo-Ema (@EtopUdoEma) September 21, 2022
I just heard the horrific news about the passing of UCLA Basketball player, Jalen Hill. I refuse to say former bc in my mind he will always be a member of a UCLA Basketball team. He was a wonderful young man trying to find peace within himself. R.I.P. Jalen.
— Michael Warren (@gobruins44) September 21, 2022
We don’t know anything about the circumstance of Jalen Hill’s passing. We do know he was a brave and loving man who shared his struggles with anxiety and depression with me and other journalists and thru social media. He salved his pain by trying to help others. God rest his soul
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) September 21, 2022
Rip Jalen Hill. I was just thinking about Terrence Clarke. May they Rest in. Tragic
— 🖤 (@LetItFly4Me) September 21, 2022
I’m just so crushed hearing the news that Jalen Hill has passed away! Devastating! Had a tremendous smile and was always great to be around! I loved our conversations! My Deepest Condolences! RIP Jalen! pic.twitter.com/I799TNEcyn
— David Grace (@CoachDavidGrace) September 21, 2022
I was about to be sick. Stories are floating around about the passing of Jalen Hill. Some of the articles have photos of him in a Oklahoma uniform. After further reading, this was not our Jalen Hill. Still a sad story for the young man and former Bruin who has passed #RIP
— DanCooper112471 (@FrankBama137928) September 21, 2022
Source: NBA Republic
