Former Lebanon basketball player Jackson Vroman has died in California at the age of 34.
Vroman was found dead Monday in a pool at his Los Angeles County residence, a spokesperson with the county's Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said. The player had tripped and hit his head before falling into the pool.
The Lebanese Basketball Federation announced the death of Vroman, who played for Lebanon replacing fellow naturalized American Joe Vogel on the national team, but prematurely and mistakenly attributed his death to a car accident. Vroman represented Lebanon at the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Poker and social media star Dan Bilzerian posted a photo of Vroman on Instagram in tribute to "one of his best friends."
Vroman played for NBA's Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans (formerly known as New Orleans Hornets/Charlotte Hornets).
In a statement on Twitter, The Suns said: "We are very saddened to learn of the passing of Jackson Vroman. Our thoughts are with his family during this time."
The New Orleans Pelicans also wrote: "The Pelicans are deeply saddened by the news of Jackson Vroman’s passing. Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time."
The much-traveled 2.08-meter center also played stints in Puerto Rico, China, Philippines, South Korea, Iran and Spain.
Vroman was a second-round draft pick for the Chicago Bulls in the 2004 NBA Draft.
In 2009, he was chosen as Asia's Most Valuable Player while he was on Mahram's roster.
