15-Year-Old Boy Died After Collapsing During Basketball Tryout

A 15-year-old New York boy who was seemingly in good health unexpectedly died after collapsing during a high school basketball tryout.

Carmyne Payton, a sophomore at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School on Long Island, collapsed and died Wednesday, Nov.17, while sprinting during the game.

"He was at the second day for tryouts," Carmyne's father, Arthur Payton, told NBC New York.

"I had just spoken to him. He was very excited. I told him to call me when he got out."

The heartbroken father said the phone call never arrived.

Instead, the school authorities called Arthur and Carmyne’s mother, Tiffany Wofford to the school where they watched emergency medical personnel attempting to revive their son.

"My baby. … I don’t even know. A healthy 15-year-old. I don’t know, I don’t understand," Wofford told the news outlet.

"They took him to the hospital … he just never woke up," she said.

Carmyne's parents said their boy had asthma, but it was under control.

The teen’s body was sent to a medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. The cause of death is yet to be determined as the autopsy results are being awaited.

"'Dad, I love you,'" were Carmyne’s last words, Arthur said. "I just got to cherish that moment forever now."

In a statement given to the press on Friday, Suffolk County police said they believe the death was not a criminal matter. A further probe is underway, police said.

Principal Joseph M. Agosta said that counselors would be available at the school to help students during this difficult time.

"The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School has experienced the death of a student that has affected us deeply," Agosta said.

"As a school staff, we encourage you to listen carefully to your child, answer questions openly and honestly if they occur, and let your child know that even adults do not have all the answers to the questions they may have. Accepting your child’s feelings and validating these feelings will be beneficial," Agosta said.