Former Vanderbilt standout Dai-Jon Parker died Thursday night in a drowning accident in Indiana, multiple sources told CBSSports.com late Thursday.
He was 22 years old.
Vandy coach Kevin Stallings confirmed Parker's death Friday morning.
"We are extremely saddened with the news of Dai-Jon's death," Stallings said. "Everyone who watched him play basketball knew what kind of athlete he was. But, to those of us who knew him and loved him, he was as good and happy of a person as you would ever meet. He always had a smile on his face, and I will always remember him for that smile and the positive spirit he had. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and others who were lucky enough to have met him."
The Indianapolis Star reported that Parker's body was found at the bottom of the Morse Reservoir after witnesses saw a man thrown from an inter-tube when he hit a wave while being pulled behind a boat. The man, identified as Parker, was not wearing a life jacket.
Parker played three seasons at Vanderbilt and started 26 games during his junior season in 2013-14. The 6-foot-3 guard got a career-high 25 points in a win over Ole Miss in 2014. He then transferred and averaged 9.4 points per game as a senior last season at the University of Indianapolis, which also confirmed the death on Friday.
