Oklahoma JUCO basketball player dies from injury

Field Level Media|published: Wed 26th November, 14:17 2025

Feb 26, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; General view of the basketball during the first half between the Stanford Cardinal and the Boston College Eagles at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

A junior college basketball player in Oklahoma has died following an injury sustained during a game.

Ethan Dietz was a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward at Connors State College in Warner, Okla. He was 20.

He sustained a head injury in the second half of a game Saturday against Grayson College in Denison, Texas, and was transported to a local hospital.

The school announced Wednesday that Dietz had passed away on Tuesday morning.

"Ethan exemplified what it means to be a Cowboy, to value hard work and being part of a team," the school said in a statement. "While the team and the Cowboy community are processing our own grief, our hearts go out to his family and friends.

"Ethan's loss reminds us all how precious life is and how much those around us impact our lives. As we move through this loss together as a community, let's be inspired by Ethan's spirit, friendship and love."

Connors State College canceled several men's and women's basketball games and scheduled a campus vigil to honor Dietz's life on Monday.

Dietz, a native of Conway, Ark., started the first eight games this season for the Cowboys, averaging 11.0 points and 9.4 rebounds.

--Field Level Media