The mother of Zeke Upshaw, the NBA G League player who collapsed on the court in March and later died, is suing both the NBA and the Detroit Pistons, the parent organization of the Grand City Rapids, for whom Upshaw played, TMZ is reporting. She is also suing the SSJ Group, which owns the Grand Rapids Drive, and the Deltaplex Arena, where the game was hosted.
Zeke collapsed in the final minutes of a March 24 game. He never regained consciousness. He experienced sudden cardiac death, an autopsy revealed.
Zeke's mother, Jewel Upshaw, says four minutes passed before a doctor tended to her son. According to TMZ, Jewel claims the team doctor was not available when Zeke fell—the doctor had "stepped out before the end of the basketball game and was not present nor available when Zeke collapsed."
She adds that the care he eventually did receive was insufficient, as Zeke's body "went without oxygen for another 40 minutes...leaving his brain completely oxygen deprived."
Jewel's lawsuit adds: "There is simply no good reason for the defendants to have been unprepared for sudden cardiac death events such as Zeke's, and for their failure to react quickly to save a life. Had properly trained medical professionals administered expeditious and proper treatment, Zeke would still be alive."
The NBA has experienced several on-court deaths previously—the most notable example being Reggie Lewis of the Boston Celtics in 1993.
Zeke, 26, was a star at Hofstra. He also played collegiate ball at Illinois State. He was in his second season with the Drive.
Jewel says, per TMZ, that she is suing so the NBA will change its policies and another mother will not go through what she has experienced.
