16-Year-Old Suddenly Collapses at Basketball Practice and Later Dies

Lenny Pierre collapsed during basketball practice at his Queens high school.
Family handout

Lenny Pierre later died at a local hospital.

A New York high school student suddenly collapsed during basketball practice and later died. 

Lenny Pierre, 16, who had no prior health issues before the incident, was quickly rushed to New York Presbyterian Hospital in Queens for treatment.

“I’m in shock. I was at work and got a call saying that he was lightheaded and he collapsed. My son don’t have no health problems,” his mom, Edna Georges, told the New York Daily News.

“I don’t know what went wrong.”

Pierre died at the hospital after doctors tried performing lifesaving measures, according to reports.

“He was perfectly healthy, played basketball all the time, nothing out of the ordinary at all,” Georges added. “My son’s gone too soon. I truly will miss my son forever. That’s a big hole in my heart.”

John Bowne High School, which Pierre attended, said they are providing guidance counselors and support for the school’s community. 

“This was a tragic loss, and my heart is with this student’s family, team and school community,” the school’s chancellor, Richard Carranza, said in a statement. 

The medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of the teen’s death. An investigation is ongoing.         

RELATED STORIES