14-Year-Old PA Athlete Collapses At Practice, Dies Hours Later At Hospital

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A 14-year-old Pennsylvania student collapsed during basketball practice and later died, school officials announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20

Jaiquawn “Jai” Jay collapsed around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 inside the Imani Christian Academy gym, according to the medical examiner’s report. He was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital, where he died later that night.

The school adjusted Wednesday’s morning schedule to give students and staff time to process the tragedy. Counselors were brought in to support the grieving community, administrators said.

Head Basketball Coach Khayree Wilson issued a statement honoring the young athlete.

“Last night—our Imani family and the East Side community lost a truly special young man, Jaiquawn Jay,” Wilson wrote. “Jaiquawn was an incredible kid—hard-working, respectful, and built with a quiet toughness that set him apart. This loss will sit heavily on our hearts for a long time.”

A Talented, Dedicated Young Athlete

A GoFundMe created by Jai’s family says he was born on March 31, 2011, and began his education at Sister Thea Bowman in preschool before attending Imani Christian. He was an honor student, earning the recognition at least twice every year.

Jai played baseball, soccer, and football for the Hornets in Wilkinsburg for four years, and he was devoted to basketball. His favorite color was teal blue.

He was also the youngest of four brothers, with siblings ages 35, 31, and 30, according to the fundraiser.

Support From The Community

Schools across the region have expressed their condolences. Woodland Hills High School shared: “From our basketball family to yours. Our hearts are with the entire Imani Christian Academy basketball family for the loss of one of their own. No team should ever have to experience this kind of pain.”

Other districts and youth sports programs have extended their support to Jai’s family and the Imani Christian community.

Authorities have not released information on what may have caused Jai’s collapse.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.