A former Nigerian national basketball player was shot dead in a botched burglary in Texas before Thanksgiving.Chinedu Onyeuku, 29, and another person allegedly tried to break into a residence on Rio Grande Street in Plano on November 21 and was shot and killed by the homeowner. His accomplice ran away without injury. Police are still trying to track the second burglar.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation posted a statement saying that the 29-year-old athlete played basketball for the team that qualified for the London 2012 Olympics. However, Onyeuku was not on the Olympic roster and did not actually compete.
The statement reads: ‘[His] passion for playing with D’Tigers was deep-seated and he will be greatly missed. The federation joins his family and team mates to mourn a departed son, father, husband and great patriot.’