Former Red Star player Belgrade's coach who collapsed and died of a heart attack: "It's hard to believe that a 27-year-old man suddenly died like this"

• Ojo. Heart attack at age 27

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  EPA

A tragedy in European basketball. Nigerian center Michael Ujo, a Red Star player from Belgrade last season, passed away on Friday at the age of 27 after collapsing during a personal training session he held in Belgrade. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. A heart attack overwhelmed him.

Ojo who only started playing at the age of 17 was a huge man - 2.16 meters - who made his Euroleague debut last season and garnered a lot of compliments for his positive character and attitude. Ojo, a graduate of Florida State College, spent his professional career at FMP Belgrade, and after impressing jumped to the red star he has played for the past two years and is currently awaiting a contract for next season.

The one who brought him to the Red Star and coached him for more than a season was Milan Tomic, who told Israel Today over the weekend: "I did not believe when I heard it, I said it was not true. It was a big shock. I have been in basketball for 30 years and have never seen such a person. Personality, great character, everyone loved him on the team.He was a huge man and a great person.Michael was a good player who was in the process of progressing.I brought him to the star and in the first season we played in the EuroCup and he had a great season.

"Last season he played in the Euroleague and made excellent adjustments. He had great potential for the future. One of the most physically strong players in Europe, but also a very smart, intelligent player who understood everything about basketball. He always worked hard and always listened to every word of the coach. It's hard to believe that a 27-year-old man suddenly died like this. "