College hoops player commits suicide after heartbreaking calls, tweets
The death of a college basketball player at his off-campus apartment in Indiana has been ruled a suicide, authorities said.
Ball State basketball player Zach Hollywood, 19, was found dead Tuesday morning at an apartment in Muncie. The Delaware County coroner later determined that Hollywood, who was in his sophomore year with the Cardinals after redshirting last season, took his own life, WTHR reports.
Hollywood’s last two posts on Twitter — which he wrote early Tuesday — referenced the “battles” people face every day and that police investigators would soon have his phone.
In a separate tweet just 15 minutes earlier, Hollywood wrote: “Just so everyone knows I did not cheat. If you want the truth ask tony or the police because they’ll have my phone.”
A message seeking comment from Muncie police regarding Hollywood’s posts was not immediately returned Wednesday.
Hollywood, a special education major and native of Bradley, Ill., made many “positive impressions” on campus, university officials said in a statement.
“Zach has been a part of our family for the past year,” the statement read. “During his time on campus, he was a member of men’s basketball team and made many positive impressions throughout campus. This is a tragedy. Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and teammates.”
Hollywood’s mother, Susan, died last year, WTHR reports. The 49-year-old’s life revolved around sports and she was her son’s “biggest sports fan,” according to an obituary in the Daily Journal.
Trey Moses, a Ball State teammate, tweeted that Hollywood had left him voicemails.
“I just listened to the voicemails you left me bro … I LOVE YOU SO DAMN MUCH , I promise you I’m gonna make it for us bro … I’m sorry I was asleep and couldn’t answer man, I feel I coulda stopped it…. I love you bro, we’re gonna make it,” Moses wrote.
Hollywood, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 17.5 points and 7.8 rebound during his senior year at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High in Illinois, CBS Sports reports.