COLLEGE BASKETBALL

• Hampton mourns loss of Smalling

  
  

  Hampton, VA (Sports Network) - Hampton University is mourning the loss of basketball player Theo Smalling, who was killed Monday night in an accidental shooting outside a night club.

  The school released a statement Tuesday saying Smalling, the captain of the team, died at approximately 8:40 p.m. and called it a "senseless accident." He was 22.

  "This is a devastating loss for our community," said Hampton coach Edward Buck Joyner.

  "He was a great young man who was an asset to Hampton University on and off the court. Not only was he the captain and leader of our team, but the backbone of our team. He will be with us in our hearts and minds when we step on the court." Smalling, who was a senior in sport management and was in line to graduate in the spring of 2010, played in 91 games (76 starts) for the Pirates.

  He averaged a team-leading 5.3 rebounds per game last season. For his career, Smalling averaged 3.3 points and 5.2 boards per contest.

  10/27 16:50:13 ET