An 18-year-old Harford Community College freshman, who was remembered as a talented athlete and popular high school student, collapsed during a basketball practice Friday and later died, the college announced Sunday.
Devonte Bundley, a 2010 graduate of Harford Technical High School, was participating in the community college team's first practice of the season in the school gymnasium when he collapsed about 4:35 p.m.—– about 20 minutes into the practice, said Nancy Dysard, a spokeswoman for the college. An assistant coach called 911, and an athletic director and a security guard administered CPR and used a defibrillator to try to revive Bundley, said Dysard.
Dave Williams, a spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, said when medics responded to the scene, Bundley was in "cardiac arrest" and was provided " advanced life support." Bundley was transported to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death has not been determined.
"Harford Community College is deeply saddened by this sudden, tragic loss," Dennis Golladay, the college president, said in a statement."Although he was only at Harford for a little over a month, Devonte touched the lives of many on campus. He will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."
The college's men's basketball season is currently "on hold" while it mourns Bundley's death, said Kevin Carver, a spokesman for the college's athletic department. The college has provided grief counselors for the team and plans to provide further services to the entire college community.
At Harford Technical, Bundley played basketball, football, and was a member of both the wrestling and track and field teams, the college said. Charles Hagan, the principal at Harford Technical, said Bundley was "a pretty nice kid" and "very well known and very well liked" among students and teachers.
"The school community is very saddened by this loss," said Hagan.
Funeral arrangements and plans for a memorial are pending.
nicole.fuller@baltsun.com