Murphy High basketball player dies during game
NEWSWIRE
DeShawn Newton, a freshman, died Saturday during an Amateur Athletic Union boys' basketball tournament game in Grand Prairie, Texas.
DeShawn Newton, a freshman from Los Angeles Murphy High, died Saturday during an Amateur Athletic Union boys' basketball tournament game in Grand Prairie, Texas, his father confirmed Monday.
Newton, a 5-foot-11 point guard, was playing for Southern California-based Impact Basketball in the Next Level Ballers national tournament at a YMCA facility in the Dallas suburb when he left the game and collapsed in his chair. Duane Newton learned of his son's death from his daughter, Deanna Newton, who was in attendance.
"They said he walked off court smiling, gave everyone a high-five and the next thing you know, his leg kicked up and his head turned to the side," Duane said.
High school sports: In the Sports section on April 29, a Newswire item said DeShawn Newton, a freshman from Los Angeles Murphy High, died during an Amateur Athletic Union boys' basketball tournament game in Grand Prairie, Texas. Newton was not an AAU member and the game in which he was playing was not an AAU event.
Paramedics responded, but Newton was pronounced dead at 12:06 p.m. at Arlington Medical Center, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. Duane Newton said an autopsy was performed Monday, but results will not be available for 30 days.
Newton, who would have turned 15 on May 10, averaged 6.2 points and 6.7 assists as a starter for the Nobles last season. He lived in Inglewood.
A funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
--
Dan Arritt
BASKETBALL
USC's Jefferson declares for NBA draft
Although USC freshman Davon Jefferson never publicly announced whether he had made himself available for the NBA draft, school spokesman Dave Tuttle said that a representative from the league office recently called asking for biographical information, meaning Jefferson declared before the Sunday evening deadline.
The NBA will not release its list of early-entry candidates until later this week, said league spokesman Tim Frank.
Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 forward, was set to sign with agent Arn Tellem, according to a foxsports.com:-USC%27s-Jefferson-to-declare-for-draft report, though Tellem did not return calls seeking comment. If Jefferson signs with an agent he would forfeit his college eligibility should he later wish to withdraw his name from draft consideration.
Jefferson was USC's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He is projected as an early second-round pick by draftexpress.com.
--
Ben Bolch
TENNIS
ESPN acquires rights to televise U.S. Open
