Connors State College basketball player dies after injury during game

A Connors State College men's basketball player died just days after suffering an injury in a game, the college announced Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Sophomore forward Ethan Dietz suffered an injury during a game at Grayson (Texas) College. He was transported to the hospital. The college did not specify the injury.

"Ethan exemplified what it means to be a Cowboy, to value hard work and being part of a team," the college posted in a statement on Facebook. "While the team and the Cowboy community are processing our own grief, our hearts go out to his family and friends."

Connors State is located in Warner, a small town in eastern Oklahoma 20 miles south of Muskogee.

A vigil is scheduled on campus for Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.

Connors State canceled it's men's basketball games on Wednesday at SAU Tech and Monday vs. Grayson. The women's basketball games Tuesday night and Saturday vs. Labette County were also canceled.

Connors State is also offering students, faculty and staff no-cost counseling through Green Country Behavioral Health. Timely Care is also available.

Dietz, who is from Conway, Arkansas, averaged 11 points and 9.4 rebounds per game this season. The 6-foot-8, 214-pound forward started all eight games he played.

"Ethan’s loss reminds us all how precious life is and how much those around us impact our lives," the college said in its statement. "As we move through this loss together as a community, let’s be inspired by Ethan’s spirit, friendship and love."

Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Connors State College basketball player dies after injury in game