Former Vanderbilt Basketball Player Dai-Jon Parker Passes Away at 22

Former Vanderbilt basketball standout Dai-Jon Parker passed away on Thursday. He was 22 years old.

Parker played for the Commodores for three years before transferring to the University of Indianapolis last spring. He had developed into a starter and defensive stalwart on the wing before leaving Nashville in the midst of a radical makeover at Memorial Gym. He helped the Greyhounds rise to a top 15 ranking in his only season in Indianapolis.

Parker was with friends in the Morse Reservoir when he fell from an inner tube that was being pulled behind a boat. He was not wearing a life jacket and did not return to the surface after being submerged. His body was located two hours later. CBSSports broke the news of his passing early Friday morning.

Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings had this to say about his former student-athlete:

"We are extremely saddened with the news of Dai-Jon's death, Everyone who watched him play basketball knew what kind of athlete he was. But, to those of us who knew him and loved him, he was as good and happy of a person as you would ever meet. He always had a smile on his face and I will always remember him for that smile and the positive spirit he had. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and others who were lucky enough to have met him. The Vanderbilt basketball family will miss him."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Parker family at this trying time.