14-Year-Old High School Basketball Player Dies Suddenly After Collapsing During Game

A 14-year-old girl from Illinois has tragically died after suddenly collapsing on the basketball court in the middle of a game.

Amari Crite, a freshman student at Momence High School, was playing in a junior varsity game against Tri-Point on Thursday when all of a sudden, she collapsed onto the court.

Soon after, she passed away.

The cause of Amari Crite’s death is currently under investigation and has not yet been released.

A girls high school basketball player reportedly collapsed and died this week in Illinois.
According to multiple reports, 14-year-old Amari Crite died on Thursday after collapsing on the court while playing a home game at Momence High School.
The Daily Journal reports that… pic.twitter.com/uf7c45GJlS

— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) January 28, 2024

R.I.P Amari Crite

14-year-old Amari Crite passed away after c* llapsing on the court while playing a home game at Momence High School.

Died: Age 14 (January 25, 2024 – Illinois, USA) pic.twitter.com/EGm1m24eAw

— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) January 30, 2024

The New York Post has more details on the teenage girl’s unexpected and tragic death:

An Illinois community is mourning the loss of a 14-year-old high school freshman who collapsed and died during a girls’ basketball game.

Amari Crite, a student at Momence High School, was participating in a junior varsity game against Tri-Point on Thursday when she collapsed on the court, the Daily Journal reported.

The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death remains under investigation.

Shannon Anderson, superintendent of the school district in Momence south of Chicago, released a statement Friday morning about the tragedy.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our 9th-grade students,” Anderson wrote.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.”

The Daily Journal also reported:

A freshman Momence girls’ basketball player collapsed and died during Thursday’s home JV game against Tri-Point.

Grief counselors were at Momence High School on Friday in an attempt to help students deal with the tragic loss of classmate Amari Crite, daughter of Anthony and Michelle Crite, of Momence.

The 14-year-old starter was participating in the basketball game and, according to those familiar with the event, Amari was heading to the defensive end of the basketball court when she collapsed.

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Information regarding the cause of death is not yet available. The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death is pending further study.

Amari’s family created a GoFundMe page late Friday morning. Just three hours into its posting, the fundraiser surpassed its goal of $15,000. By 2 p.m. Friday, $16,665 had been raised through over 250 donations.