High school basketball player dies after collapsing during game, Texas officials say

A high schooler died on Tuesday, Feb. 8, during a varsity basketball game, according to an East Texas school district.

The district did not name the Alto High School student who died, but media reports identified him as sophomore DeVonte Mumphrey. Mumphrey collapsed during Alto’s game Tuesday against Mount Enterprise and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, the Jacksonville Progress reported.

Kelly West, the superintendent for the Alto Independent School District, described the death as a “tragic loss.”

“All of Alto ISD sends its deepest condolences to the student’s family,” West said. “Please keep our community in your prayers.”

Mumphrey was recently nominated for Mr. Texas Basketball Player of the Week through Dave Campbell’s Texas Basketball site. The recognition came after he scored 45 points during a game in January.

As a freshman, Mumphrey was named the District 22-2A Newcomer of the Year, the Jacksonville Progress reported.

In 2015, 16-year-old Cam’ron Matthews died after he collapsed during a football game for Alto High School, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph. Preliminary reports showed his death was caused by an aneurysm and an autopsy revealed he suffered “unspecified blunt impact” leading to his death, the newspaper reported.

Alto is about 140 miles southeast of Dallas.

This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 7:35 AM with the headline "High school basketball player dies after collapsing during game, Texas officials say."