Very sad news to share today from Virginia.
Former Kennedy Catholic basketball star Tyrell Thompson collapsed and died on Wednesday playing pick-up basketball in Virginia. He was 23.
“It’s just a terrible loss,” former Kennedy coach Tom Nelligan said. “He was just a fantastic kid.”
Thompson, who played four years at West Point, was stationed in Virginia with the Army. The Mohegan Lake native was scheduled to return home next week on leave. He was engaged to former Kennedy girls basketball player Michelle Smyth, who also graduated in 2006.
Thompson was a 6-foot-2 guard who helped Kennedy win the 2004 Class B state and Federation championships as a sophomore. The Gaels reached the state final again when he was a junior and senior. He finished his three-year varsity career with over 1,300 points.
“As good a player as he was, God, he was just as good a person,” Nelligan said.
I’ll have more on the story in tomorrow’s Journal News.
7 Comments
SAD SAD STORY,GREAT ATHLETE,BETTER PERSON YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN GOD WILL CALL
Tough deal for the JFK community. Much too young, gives us young folk an extra means to appreciate our time here. Like Haywood put it, tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us so we have to live a life of consequence and have our heads on straight.
Terrible tragedy – condolences to his family.
What a great loss to our Country and the Kennedy Family. This young man aws a true gentleman, leader and a friend to many.
I coached at Kennedy when Tyrell played there and I can confirm that he was just a great kid. Helped out whenever he could. I am so sad to hear about this and send my prayers to his family and friends.
So sad. Condolences to his family, friends and coaches. Saw him in person in state play when he and his team destroyed spackenkill at county center. Great player who played with class.
God bless he and his family. My prayers are with them.