Former UCLAForward Jalen HillThe school confirmed Wednesday that he had died at 22 years old.
“The news of Jalen Hill’s passing is heartbreaking,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin tweeted after the school released a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Jalen was a warm-hearted young man with a great smile who has left us far too soon.”
The passing of Jalen Hills, former student-athlete, has deeply affected our program. We send our deepest condolences and sympathies to his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/JOUrHjh9NU
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) September 21, 2022
Hill’s family said in an Instagram post that they recently learned of his death after he went missing in Costa Rica. According to the family, they could not share details.
“We know Jalen has played a part in the lives of so many people,” his family wrote on Instagram. “We also acknowledge the role that so many of you have played in his. Please give us some time to grieve as we attempt to navigate this terrible time in our lives. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”
Hill is a Corona native. He played three seasons for the Bruins and averaged 6.5 points per game. Hill also averaged 6.4 rebounds over 77 games. Hill was a freshman and was arrested in China together with UCLA teammate LiAngelo Bal. Cody RileyShoplifting charges were brought against Hill and Riley in November 2017. Hill and Riley were both suspended for 2017-18, but they returned to the Bruins during the following campaign.
Get Deeper
Jalen Hills’ quest for peace of thought: from an arrest in China to UCLA.
Hill played 14 games during 2020-21. He then resigned from the team halfway through the season due to personal reasons. Hill, who was unable to attend UCLA’s Final Four game, announced in April 2021 that he had decided to quit basketball because of his battle with depression and anxiety.
“I just had to distance myself because the headspace I was in, it was damaging the team,” Hill said in an Instagram video at the time of his retirement. “So I didn’t want to restrict them from achieving their goals too.”
He added in the video that he knew he made the “right decision” and “made my peace with” leaving basketball.
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
