A Tyner Academy sophomore student died Wednesday after playing a basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club, boy's basketball coach E'Jay Ward said.
Javon Craddock "stopped playing and asked for a drink and just died," Ward said.
Javon CraddockCraddock hadn't shown any signs of distress and had no known health conditions, he said.
"[He] had a very promising future," Ward said. "He had a special gift - a smile that could light up the whole school. We're hurting really bad."
The Chattanooga Police Department has not confirmed the boy's death, saying only that he had been taken by ambulance to an area hospital.
Since the news began to spread, friends started taking to social media to express their sadness.
"I'm so lost for words right now, my heart is aching and I can't stop crying," Taurus Alexander wrote in a public Facebook post. "... Our Chattanooga Elite Family need ur prayers for each and every player in our organization to push through the pain of loosing one of our own."
Craddock was a "wonderful young man, very talented," Alexander added. "He will truly be missed."
Others posted short video clips of Craddock on the court or goofing around with friends.
"[He] always made me laugh," Nyaa N Maya captioned a video posted publicly of Craddock sneaking into the frame with her. "You will be missed ... I love you."
This is a developing story. Stay with the Times Free Press for updates.
Javon Craddock