Nigerian-born basketball player Calistus Anyichie drowns in US

Nigerian-born Calistus Anyichie, a forward for the Binghamton University men’s basketball team has died. He died Sunday in a drowning accident and was 19 years old.

Anyichie, a native of Nigeria, drowned Sunday at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca, New York.
The school announced Anyichie’s death on Monday.

“There are no words. There is no blueprint for how to deal with such a painful loss,” Binghamton head coach Tommy Dempsey said. “We all loved Calistus so much. He was a special young man. We are devastated.”

According to local authorities, Anyichie’s body was found at the base of a 15-foot bank. Per the Journal, rescue crews used a rope system to pull his body from the ravine after 5 p.m. on Sunday.

"A talented young person has been tragically taken from us," university president Harvey Stenger said. "This is a heartbreaking loss for our community. We will do all that we can to be there for his family, for the team and everyone who knew Calistus."