College basketball star Deng Mayar, 22, drowned Saturday in a Utah reservoir, according to authorities. Mayar was swimming with a friend at the Blackridge Reservoir when he went underwater about 35 yards from shore.
Herriman City Police responded to an emergency call on Aug. 16 that reported two people in distress at the reservoir.
A submersible robot located Mayar’s body in the reservoir several hours later. Shortly after, divers recovered his body.
Mayar joined the University of Omaha-Nebraska basketball team this past offseason. The six-foot-seven-inch forward transferred from the college's rival, the Summit League, in North Dakota.
The Salt Lake City native leaves behind six siblings.
"We are devastated to learn of Deng's passing. On behalf of our university community, our love and sincere condolences are with his family during this difficult time," Adrian Dowell, Director of Athletics, said in a statement. "We also wish his friends and teammates in Omaha, North Dakota, and Salt Lake City family, peace as they process this tragic loss."
Police said Mayar's friend was treated at the scene by medics and taken to a local hospital. He is expected to recover.
Blackridge Reservoir is located 20 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. The reservoir is a natural body of water and is untreated.
The police department asks any witnesses who were not interviewed at the scene to contact the Herriman City Police Department.