Aug 18, 09:30 PM

University of Nebraska Omaha Basketball Player Deng Mayar, 22, Dies in Utah Reservoir Drowning After Transfer from North Dakota

Deng Mayar, a 22-year-old forward for the University of Nebraska Omaha men's basketball team, died in a drowning incident in Utah. Mayar had transferred from the University of North Dakota to Omaha earlier this offseason. His body was recovered from a reservoir near Salt Lake City by divers and an underwater robot. The university confirmed his death on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Mayar was described as a competitive athlete with a gentle nature off the court. The incident has drawn attention to the loss of young basketball talent, coming shortly after other recent tragedies in college basketball.