Deng Mayar: A Bright Flame Extinguished Too Soon

Hanna Necole
5 Min Read

OMAHA — The news hit like a collective jolt: 22-year-old Deng Mayar, unmistakable on the court, unshakable in spiri,t had drowned on August 16 during a calm evening swim at Blackridge Reservoir in Utah. In that moment, an athlete, a brother, a teammate, a friend… vanished.

A Life in Full – Not Yet Complete

Born in Magna, Utah, Deng Mayar traveled a path many Tennessee neighbors know well. His roots around Salt Lake City spoke of a tight-knit family and a community rallying around youthful dreams. He played at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, where his talent began to bloom. From there, his journey took him to Howard Junior College, to the University of North Dakota, and finally as a graduate student at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

In North Dakota, he quietly contributed in 42 games, averaging around 6.3 points and 4 rebounds per game. But it was more than stats. As UND coach Paul Sather said, “He had a heart the size of a gym,” and his loss left “broken” hearts across both programs.

On the Court, and in the Room

Deng’s move to Omaha had been filled with optimism. In the offseason, he’d been weaving himself into the team’s fabric, earning trust and camaraderie. “He made tremendous progress this summer,” Omaha’s coach Chris Crutchfield reflected. “Deng was a joy to be around and made our culture better.

His smile lit rooms, and his presence felt like a breeze in a locker room, all energy, promise, and unspoken leadership.

The Day Everything Changed

They were swimming with friends at Blackridge Reserve, Deng and Sa Mafutaga, 21, when misfortune struck. Mafutaga made it safely to shore and rushed back to help Deng, but it was too late. Rescue teams worked into the night; a submersible robot located Deng’s body hours later.

The tragedy reverberated instantly. Schools, teammates, and fans were stunned. The University of Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota State, and countless others sent condolences, speaking of his impact, his gentle nature, and how he elevated everyone around him.

Family in Grief, Faces in Reflection

One of the most moving tributes came not from the court, but from a GoFundMe page set up by his family. They revealed a home surrounded by love, six siblings: Angelina, Achol, Christina, Ngor, Achan, and Nyanbol, and parents Alei and Abele, now navigating unimaginable grief.

“To us, he was the heart of our family… in honor of Deng’s memory, we are asking for your support so that we may lay him to rest… surrounded by the same warmth and care he always gave to others.”([turn0view0])

There’s power in reading that and imagining Deng full of light, laughter, and the unspoken energy that made teammates laugh, kids move forward, and his family beam in pride.

A Legacy That’s More Than Numbers

Numbers reveal a hint, but stories carry the weight. One local report captured this beautifully:

“In my 33 years of coaching, I’ve never received that 911 call… ‘His sister called and told us what happened.’ That’s a call no one ever wants to get.” Coach Crutchfield

He recalled how Deng, in just two months, had “made an impact… he made such an impact in two months.

From a spontaneous skit recreating Stomp the Yard, a team retreat memory to late-night workouts and quiet study sessions, Deng’s influence went further than his stats ever would.

A Future That Flickered… but Won’t Be Forgotten

At 6-ft-8, with basketball in his blood, Deng’s future was unwritten but bright. The Omaha season, weeks away, feels suddenly uncertain and sobering. But his memory, actionable and emotional, can shape seasons to come.

Counseling services are being offered at both universities as a testament to how deeply his loss impacted young lives.

Deng’s journey had made him a figure of resilience and joy. He was the embodiment of potential, not just athletic, but human, and in mourning him, the basketball world grieves the potential of brighter moments yet unwritten.

 

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