2024 NBA Draft prospect found dead in Jamaica

NBA prospect Marco-Miche Downer has been found dead in his home town of Portmore in Jamaica, just over a month before the 2024 Draft, which he was reportedly eligible for.

Tragedy strike NBA hopeful Downer

Downer was last seen alive last Thursday and reported missing on Saturday morning, with his body found at a building site by a childhood friend later that same day. The circumstances of the 24-year-old’s death are being investigated by the Portmore Criminal Investigation Branch, who revealed he was found lying flat on the floor with a belt around his neck.

According to his mother, Downer was in the process of applying for a job at the time of his death, although it seems he hadn’t completely given up on his dream of becoming a basketball player in the NBA.

A 6 foot, 9 inches, 235-pound center, Downer wasn’t selected in the 2023 NBA Draft but was also eligible for this year’s event, with will take place on 26 and 27 June.

Which teams did Downer play for the United States?

The Jamaican native represented his country at U17 level and moved to the United States after receiving a college scholarship.

He played for the Tampa Spartans senior team in the 2018/19 season and was named Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the Sunshine State Conference (NCAA Division II).

After his freshman year, Downer transferred and played for the Miami Dade College Sharks in NJCAA Division I in 2021/22. Up until his death, he had been playing for a basketball team in Edgewater in Portmore, where he had been living.