In what has sent shockwaves across the Basketball world, Kenny Ejim, a Canadian professional basketball player from Brampton, Ont., has died in Bahrain at the age of 27.
Confirming the development, his family, in a statement read:
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Kenny Ejim passed away on Tue Feb 15th, 2022 in Bahrain.
Kenny was 27 years old. He was in Bahrain on a 3-month basketball contract when he suddenly passed away in his hotel room. Kenny was doing what he loved doing (playing basketball)
Arrangements are being made to return his body back to Toronto. Some of you have reached out to ask how you can help, as we try to make sense of this difficult time, while trying navigate this heartbreaking event; know that your generosity is appreciated
We understand that in our community, it is in our nature to help. If you would.like to do so, you can contact the family direct. They are not asking for donation but we understand at this time people want to help. The family ask that we respect their privacy.
Kenny attended Humber College and played with the Humber Hawks from 2014 to 2019. He played 15 games with the CEBLs Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2021, averaging 6.67 points a game. He appeared in four games for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2020.
He is survived by his grandparents, parents, two sisters and three brothers. All his siblings except the last girl are into basketball.
Also confirming the ugly incident, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), in a statement said Kenny Ejim was playing with Al-Najma in the Bahraini Premier League until his sudden death.
The CEBL said “His hard work and infectious personality motivated his teammates and inspired younger players to pursue their dreams. As much as Kenny derived from the game, he gave back far more”
“Our sympathy and prayers are with all who knew Kenny as a family member, friend and teammate. He will be greatly missed.”
Reacting to the development, Mike Morreale, commissioner and CEO of the league, said the news of his death is a shock.
Morreale said Ejim went to Bahrain to continue his career in the off-season and to become a better basketball player. He was the star of his team there, he added.
“He was such a personable guy. I know his teammates loved him. I know the fans loved him. He left a mark”.
“We were excited to welcome him back home in May this season to one of our teams. It certainly is a difficult day,” he said.
Also reacting, the Hamilton Honey Badgers organization said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened.” The team described Ejim as a “valuable” member during the 2021 season and a friend to many people in the Canadian basketball community.
“Kenny brought a high level of energy to our organization on and off the court, and he was an exceptional teammate’.
“Kenny had a smile that could light up an arena. He invested in himself as a player and as a person, while always making time to lift up those around him. It is incomprehensible that such a bright, strong and driven young man would have his life end,” the organization said.
The organization extended its condolences to family and friends. “He will be greatly missed and remembered with much love and respect,” it said.
The president of the Hamilton Honey Badgers, John Lashway said Ejim was well-known and well-liked.
“He was certainly a player who was central to our organization. He was also a player who was usually the first guy to volunteer to do some community work for us, a guy that brought a high energy to everything that we did. He was quiet but he had a big personality,” Lashway said.
The head coach of the Hamilton Honey Badgers, Ryan Schmidt who coached Ejim in the 2021 summer season, said he was a real team player.
Schmidt said “He was the epitome of toughness. There was nothing you could ask him to do that he wasn’t capable of doing or didn’t want to do. Probably the best way to describe him is he was the ultimate teammate”.
“He really loved to see his teammates succeed.
That defined who he was as a person. His loss is going to be felt for a really long time. He was a fun person to be around. He brought joy every single day. He made others feel better.”
Patrick Au, who was head coach of the Hawks at the time, said he is still trying to process the news.
A tearful Au said “He was like a son to me. It’s just so hard. He was a young man who had finally found his groove and was headed in a really good direction.”
In an email statement, Global Affairs Canada said it is aware of a death of a Canadian in Bahrain.
“Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular services to the family,” Global Affairs Canada said in an email.
The Editorial board of The Nigerian Canadian Newspaper Canada sympathises with Kennys family over the irreparable loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
