UNO forward Deng Mayar dies in Utah drowning

Deng Mayar, a 22-year-old forward for the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks, died Saturday in a drowning incident at Blackridge Reservoir in Herriman, Utah. He and a friend were reported to be struggling in the water; the friend reached shore with bystander assistance and survived, while Mayar’s body was recovered late Saturday night after an hours-long search. Mayar had joined UNO this offseason as a graduate transfer from North Dakota, and the university acknowledged the loss as another tragedy to affect the college basketball community.

Authorities said the incident began with two people in distress in the reservoir. The friend, Sa Mafutaga, made it to shore but reentered the water in an effort to help Mayar. Bystanders attempted a rescue before emergency crews arrived. After a prolonged search using divers and a submersible, Mayar’s body was located around 10:40 p.m. and recovered about 20 minutes later. Mafutaga was treated at the scene and is expected to recover. The reservoir was subsequently closed to the public as police continued their investigation and the site remained under review by local authorities.

The loss drew earnest responses from both programs...