Romanian authorities have confirmed Chauncey Hardy, an American college graduate who played pro basketball in Europe, died Sunday morning after a vicious beating. Hardy, 23, was celebrating a win with his CSS Giurgiu teammates Saturday night at a bar in Giurgiu when he was attacked by a suspect identified as Ionut Adrian Tanasoaia. Tanasoaia turned himself in to authorities on Monday.
According to police spokeswoman Mirela Gheta, Hardy sustained severe head injuries and was in a coma when he was rushed to a hospital in Bucharest. He died Sunday shortly after suffering two heart attacks.
Hardy joined CSS Giurgiu last year after graduating from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. He scored a total of 1,247 points with Sacred Heart and averaged 11 points per game. The university’s athletic director, C. Donald Cook, released a statement saying the school is “deeply saddened by the loss of a fine young man.”
Sacred Heart basketball coach Dave Bike added, "This is a terribly tragedy and we are saddened as a University and a basketball program. This is not just about a basketball player, but the person as well. It transcends what happens on a basketball court. We feel tremendous sadness and loss for Chauncey's family and those who were close to him."
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