The world of college basketball is in mourning following the shock death of Mike Babul from a heart attack at the age of 47.
Babul is a legend of Massachusetts basketball following his time as a player, and he went on to become a coach in the Brooklyn Nets organization.
At the time of his death on Monday, he was head coach at the Thayer Academy, and had also recently taken charge of the South Shore Monarchs in The Basketball League.
Tributes immediately poured in on social media, with UMass Men’s Basketball posting: ‘Babel was a true Massachusetts basketball legend on the court, serving as a positive force in his community and on many sidelines as a coach.’
Local reporter Kevin McNamara added: ‘Just horrific news of the sudden passing of Attleboro’s Mike Babul.
‘A legendary local hoopster and star at UMass, but I knew Mike as a sweet person who loved to coach & the game. And he loved fun. What a loss at just 47.’
The Sun Chronicle first reported Babul’s cause of death, sharing news of a heart attack on Monday.
More to follow.
