Former UCLA Bruin men’s basketball player Jalen Hill dies at 22 after going missing in Costa Rica
Former UCLA men’s basketball forward Jalen Hill died at the age of 22, the program confirmed Tuesday night in a series of social media posts.
“The insight about Jalen Slope’s passing is deplorable,” Bruins lead trainer Mick Cronin said early Wednesday morning in an explanation presented on his checked Twitter account. “Our considerations and petitions to heaven are with his family right now. Jalen was a cordial young fellow with an incredible grin who has left us extremely soon.”
Hill’s family had posted on Instagram Tuesday night, announcing Hill’s death after he “went missing while in Costa Rica” but did not elaborate further.
“We know Jalen has played a part in the lives of so many people,” Hill’s family wrote in the post. “We also acknowledge the role that so many of you have played in his. As we try to navigate this devastating time in our lives, we ask that you please give us time to grieve. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”
Former UCLA Bruin men’s basketball player Jalen Hill dies at 22 after going missing in Costa Rica In April 2021, in an Instagram video, Slope tended to his explanations behind leaving the group prior that year in February, saying that he would have rather not been an interruption as the Bruins made their disagreement the NCAA Competition. He likewise said he would be resigning from b-ball as he struggled tension and despondency.
“I just needed to separate myself in light of the fact that the headspace I was in, it was harming the group,” Slope said in April. “So I would have rather not limited them from accomplishing their objectives, as well. The explanation I didn’t left have anything to do with the group or Cronin or mentors, not at all like that. Just so everyone can comprehend, it was me.”
The Bruins (27-8) eventually earned a four seed in the East regional and eventually advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to No. 8 North Carolina, 73-66.
In the Instagram video, Hill said his issues with anxiety and depression started when he was arrested in China in Nov. 2017 for shoplifting. UCLA and Georgia Tech had been in China to play in the 2017 Pac-12 China Game, as part of an initiative to promote goodwill for the Pac-12 and its member institutions through sport.
LiAngelo Ball and Cody Riley were the other Bruins players arrested during the incident. UCLA suspended all three players for the entire 2017-18 season.
Slope got back to the Bruins program for the 2018-19 season. He showed up in 77 games through more than two seasons for UCLA, beginning 40 games. He found the middle value of 6.5 places and 6.4 bounce back per game, shooting 54.6% from the floor.
Details surrounding the cause of Hill’s death are limited, but his family confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that Hill had gone missing in Costa Rica.
Hill, a forward and center, joined the Bruins in 2017 and played for three seasons before leaving the team in 2021 due to struggles with anxiety and depression, according to the LA Times.
In 2017, Slope stood out as truly newsworthy in the wake of becoming entangled in a shoplifting episode while visiting Hangzhou, China on a social trade trip with UCLA. Slope was subsequently suspended for the occurrence alongside his colleagues LiAngelo Ball and Cody Riley.
“The news of Jalen Hill’s passing is heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.” UCLA Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mick Cronin posted on Twitter. “Jalen was a warm-hearted young man with a great smile who has left us far too soon.”
“Our program is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Jalen Hill. We offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Slope was brought into the world in Tampa, Fla., and went to Centennial Secondary School in Crown where he was positioned the No. 47 secondary school ball player in the country.
During his career with UCLA, he played 77 games and averaged 6.5 points and 6.4 rebounds.