A 28-year-old died playing the game he loved when he collapsed suddenly on a basketball court.

Tributes from members of the basketball community poured in yesterday as news spread of the death of Jashun Afrika, formerly known as Jason Gibbons.

His St. George’s International coach Pushkin Douglas said: “If he had to pick a way to go it would have been playing basketball. I love the game but Jashun really loved it. The three most important things to him were his mother, his job as an EMT (emergency medical technician) and basketball.”

Police confirmed yesterday that he collapsed while playing basketball at Mount St. Agnes Academy at 6.15 p.m. on Sunday.

An eyewitness said the St. George’s man collapsed in the middle of a game between the St. George’s International team and the AWAK team. Within seconds players realised he had not suffered an injury and dialled 911.

His team-mates began to administer CPR before medical personnel showed up minutes later. He was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead at 6.40 p.m. by a doctor.

Police said Mr. Afrika had a pre-existing medical condition and many friends said he had suffered from asthma, although it is not known if that was related to his death.

Team-mates were still in a state of shock yesterday, Mr. Douglas said. Many of them had known Jashun for years and most of the players had played together for the last four seasons.

Mr. Afrika’s infatuation with basketball began at a young age when he played for Whitney Institute as a forward. As a youngster his love for the game was sometimes eclipsed by his skill, something that changed through sheer hard work and sweat a former team-mate said. Lloyd Peterkin played with Mr. Afrika on the school team and remembered his perseverance.

He said: ”On the court Jashun developed into a fierce competitor. Near the basket, his turnaround fadeaway was his signature.

“Jashun was not only a great basketball player, but he was a great friend and person. I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to get to know him, to play basketball alongside him and against him.

“My heartfelt sympathies go out to his mother and to his brother John. He was a damn good basketball player. He wouldn’t have wanted to go any other way.”

Tim Trott, president of Bermuda Basketball Association, said members were still coming to terms with the sudden death.

“He was a good player,” Mr. Trott said. “ Hard working. He would hustle on the court. I’ve seen him play from the time he was on Whitney’s high school team and he has always put a lot of effort into his game.”

Mr. Trott said the association sent its condolences to Mr. Afrika’s family and friends and added that he would be missed by many people.

Edward Schultz, Director of Emergency Services at the hospital said everyone was shocked and saddened by his unexpected death.

He said: “Mr. Afrika was respected and admired by his co-workers, as well as by his patients.

“He was deeply committed to providing outstanding pre-hospital medical care to this community. He intended to pursue further training to realise his goal of achieving the paramedic level.

“Those of us who serve in Emergency Services probably realise more than most people just how fragile life really is. Even the youngest and the most physically fit amongst us are not immune to the ravages of death.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Afrika’s family as we offer our sincere condolences to them at this difficult time.”