Basketball: Chino Hills center Nnamdi Okongwu, 17, dies of head injury

A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department coroner division said Friday afternoon that Chino Hills basketball center Nnamdi Okongwu has died.

The 6-foot-9 Okongwu, a 17-year-old senior, suffered a head injury in a skateboarding accident earlier this week. He was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

A fundraising campaign has begun to support the family.

In a written statement, Coach Steve Baik said, “Although we cannot comprehend why this has happened to such a special individual, all we know is that Nnamdi was like a seed planted in this world that brought us so much love and joy.

“His physical life may have ended today, but his legacy as a person will carry on. We will not shrink back and fear because of an accident like this. We may have lost Nnamdi in this life, but it is only temporary. We will look forward to have eternity with him one day. We will not fear death. We will not fear life.

“We will move forward and become better for having known someone so special. We will have a greater love for those around us by being better coaches, parents, sons and daughters, better friends and better teammates.

“We will always remember Nnamdi’s big smile and will look forward to seeing it again one day. Our loss today is Heaven’s gain, and we look forward to seeing you again Nnamdi.”

Twitter:@LATSondheimer