Reggie Chaney, Former University of Houston Basketball Star Dies At 23
Reggie Chaney, a standout forward with the Houston Cougars who was named the 2022-23 AAC's Sixth Man of the Year has died, the Houston Chronicle reports. He was 23 years old.
On Monday (August 21), a family friend discovered Chaney who was unresponsive in a bedroom at an apartment in Arlington, Texas, said Tim Ciesco, a police spokesperson.
No cause of death has yet been disclosed.
Chaney’s death was confirmed by the University of Houston in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"We are heartbroken by the passing of forward Reggie Chaney," the Cougars’ statement read/ "#32 will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him."
Kelvin Sampson, the head coach of the Cougars, shared that Chaney had signed on to play professional basketball in Europe just a week away just before his death. He took to social media to pay tribute to his former player.
"First in his family to graduate college. Reached his dream of signing a professional basketball contract," Sampson wrote on X. "He was leaving Monday, Aug 28th for Greece."
"A son, a grandson, a brother, the ultimate teammate. The identity of our Cougar basketball culture. A winner," Sampson continued. "Thank you, God for allowing Reggie to come into our lives. Rest easy Reg. Your legacy will live on forever. I love you and miss you dearly."
From 2020 to 2023, Chaney was an integral part of the Cougars' basketball program. During his tenure on the team, the Courgas went to the Final Four in 2021, the Elite Eight in 2022 and Sweet Sixteen in 2023. He started in 24 in 104 games (24 starts) in his collegiate career.
A native of Tulsa, Okla., Chaney played two years of his collegiate ball at the University of Arkansas before coming to Houston.
In May, Chaney graduated with a degree in liberal studies.
Eric Musselman, head coach of the Razorbacks said that his team is "devastated" with news of Chaney's sudden passing.
"The Razorback men’s basketball family is devastated to hear of the loss of Reggie Chaney," Musselman wrote on X. "He was a relentless worker and loved by his teammates. His family is in our thoughts and prayers."
