Wes Leonard will be remembered to his family, friends and teammates as a young man with so much potential, so much drive and so much love for the people around him.
The 16-year-old basketball star scored the winning basket for his Fennville High School basketball team last night, locking a perfect season for the Blackhawks.
Just minutes after his teammates lifted him up in the air to celebrate the victory, Leonard collapsed on the court and was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
*Click photos to enlarge (the second and third photo were taken last night. The third one was taken just moments before Wes collapsed on the court).
Wes was known to his coaches and teammates (he also played quarterback for the Fennville football team) as one of the most motivated young athletes in the world.
On Tuesday, Wes’ coach, Ryan Klinger, talked about the young boy’s potential and what set him apart from most other high school athletes.
“That’s what makes him a little different. He takes care of his body better than probably anybody I’ve ever coached,” Klingler said. “Spends a lot of time on his own in the weight room. He’s a special kid.”
Just two days after Klinger’s kind comments, the unimaginable happened to this promising teen.
Wes is the second Fennville High School athlete to die in 14 months. Last January, Nathaniel Hernandez died from a seizure after participating in his school’s wrestling match.
No cause of death has been released but an autopsy is scheduled for this weekend.
