CSU Student Collapses, Dies While Playing Basketball

Autopsy scheduled for Wednesday

A Chicago State University student died Tuesday while playing basketball on campus.

Jerome Porter, 19, of the 8100 block of South Woodlawn Ave., was playing basketball in the Jacoby Dickens Center gymnasium when he collapsed, according to the university.

"Our father had us playing basketball from the time we -- before we could walk," said the teen's brother, Joseph Porter.

Porter, an engineering studies student, was taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

What caused his death is still unknown. An autopsy on Wednesday was inconclusive, pending further studies, the medical examiner’s office said.

"So many of these athletes are so motivated and driven that they try to play through a lot of pain and discomfort or dizziness and things like that, and that's really not a good strategy," said sports medicine physician Krys Bigosinski.

The university, at 9501 S. King Dr., is offering counseling services to students, staff and family members.

A service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Hyde Park, at 1448 E. 53rd Street.

A fund has been set up to help the family. The CSU Foundation is accepting donations on behalf of Porter’s family to help defray funeral expenses. The Foundation may be reached at 773-995-3839 or friends@csu.edu.

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