Former Oakland Tech defensive tackle Fred Thompson died Wednesday night while playing pickup basketball at Oregon State, where he was a freshman defensive tackle.
Oregon State University officials confirmed his passing. According to news reports, Thompson collapsed while playing basketball at OSU's Dixon Recreation Center.
The call to 911 was placed at 6:20 p.m. and Thompson was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Thompson, just four days from his 20th birthday, was a first team all-City selection at Oakland Tech as a senior in 2009 after registering 90 tackles and seven sacks. He was a
The 6-foot-4 and 317 pounder was part of the 2010 recruiting class but delayed his enrollment until this January. He spent this season recovering from shoulder surgery and was considered a grayshirt.
Coach Mike Riley was on a recruiting trip but was expected back at Oregon State on Thursday.
Some players gathered at Valley Football Center after word spread of Thompsons death, and the front page of the Beavers website paid tribute to the young player.
Oregon State cornerback Jordan Poyer posted on Twitter: R.I.P Fred Im really gonna miss you bro. My prayers go to you and your family.
His team biography said Thompson chose Oregon State because of the family vibe, nice campus and great academics. It says he was contemplating majoring in business.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.