PINSON, ALABAMA: A top high school basketball prospect died at the age of 17 after falling on the court during a school exercise. Caleb White, Alabama's No. 2 rated player, was declared dead at a nearby hospital on August 10 after having a medical emergency, according to several accounts.
Caleb was a three-star basketball recruit who averaged 20.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game at Pinson Valley High School. As a junior, he landed in the top three for Player of the Year in his region and was a first-team all-state pick. According to ESPN rankings, Caleb was the third-best player in the state and the 43rd-best player in the country. He was a shooting guard and a point guard who was poised to captain the team in his last year of high school.
What happened to Caleb White?
Caleb, an Alabama high school basketball standout, died after collapsing following a school workout. According to several accounts, the 17-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Thursday. The reason for the death is still unknown, but an autopsy will be done on Friday to ascertain it, according to AL.com. Caleb was rushed to St. Vincent's East Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, after collapsing during a workout with his team at Pinson Valley High School on Thursday.
He collapsed and was brought to the hospital, but medics were unable to resuscitate him, according to George Varnadoe Jr. on Facebook. "At 17, he was dead!!!!" George continued, saying his grandson was an "honor student, very respectful, high intellect, excellent role model, phenomenal basketball player." "Our whole family was really looking forward to his upcoming senior season and afterwards, playing for a D-1 school and then perhaps the NBA. But…..it wasn’t meant to be," the bereaved grandpa continued.
"You see, everything that happens, happens on time, because God wouldn’t allow it to happen, if it wasn’t on time. And so it was with Caleb. We all have an appointment with God, one that you can’t reschedule."
George stated that his grandson died of cardiac arrest, but the Jefferson County Coroner has yet to provide a ruling, according to AL.com. Caleb's death was revealed by Pinston Valley High School Principal Michael Turner in a message issued to parents, revealing the boy had suffered a "medical emergency" at school before being declared dead at the hospital.
'They'll never forget yo name'
Following the news, Caleb's older brother, Cam White, paid homage on Facebook. "Who is Caleb Dylan White? He's a great player, passionate leader, intelligent person, great son, and to me, a great little brother..." "You were on that court doing what you love to do. Watch over me. They'll never forget yo name as long as I'm here, I promise. Caleb Dylan White, I love you past death."
Principal Michael Turner of Pinson Valley High School informed parents of the student's death in a letter. Counseling will be offered to kids and employees, according to the principal.
