University of Nebraska Omaha Basketball Player Drowns in Utah Reservoir

A University of Nebraska Omaha basketball player was identified as the drowning victim at a Salt Lake City area reservoir over the weekend after divers recovered his body. Authorities confirmed that 22-year-old Deng Mayar lost his life at Blackridge Reservoir in Herriman, Utah.

Incident at Blackridge Reservoir

On Saturday evening, police received 911 calls about two people “in distress” in the water, according to a statement from the Herriman City Police Department. One man, Sa Mafutaga, managed to swim to shore but later re-entered the water to try and rescue Mayar, who was still struggling. Despite his efforts, Mayar could not be saved.

Authorities deployed a submersible device to search for several hours before locating Mayar’s body. A dive team eventually recovered him from the reservoir. Mafutaga was transported to a hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.

University and Team Response

The University of Nebraska Omaha released a statement on Sunday expressing its grief over the “tragic loss” of Mayar. Head basketball coach Chris Crutchfield reflected on Mayar’s impact on the team, noting that they were excited to welcome him as a transfer after competing against him in past seasons. “Deng was a joy to be around and made our culture better,” Crutchfield said. “We will miss him greatly.”

Mayar stood 6-foot-7 and played as a forward while studying business administration. He grew up in Salt Lake City as one of seven siblings and previously played varsity basketball for all four years at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. During his senior year, he helped the team place fourth in the state tournament. His career path included time at junior college before transferring to the University of North Dakota, and later to Nebraska Omaha.

Athletic Career and Legacy

At the University of North Dakota, Mayar made 42 appearances across two seasons, starting in 15 games. His performance included 59 points scored as a junior, along with being ranked fourth in steals on last season’s roster. The University of North Dakota also issued a statement offering condolences to his family and friends.

Coach Paul Sather described him as “a wonderful person with a heart the size of a gym.” He added, “As competitive as he was on the court, he had a gentle nature and kind soul off the court. Deng will be greatly missed by all of those that knew and loved him.”

Mayar’s passing leaves behind a lasting memory in both programs he played for, remembered not just for his contributions on the court but also for his character and presence among teammates, coaches, and friends.