Former Florida State center Michael Ojo dies at 27 after heart attack

Former Florida State center Michael Ojo is dead at 27.

The college basketball community, more specifically Florida State, is in a state of shock, as one of the more universally well-liked players of the last few years tragically and unexpectedly passed away.

Former FSU center Michael Ojo, who was training with Serbian club Red Star Belgrade, passed away in a training session at the age of 27 due to a heart attack. Ojo collapsed when running, and it was too late to save him by the time doctors in a Belgrade hospital began to operate.

Michael Ojo was a force in the middle for Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles.

Hamilton has an affinity for humungous centers, and Ojo was among the most humungous Hamilton ever saw. The Lagos, Nigeria native stood 7-1 and regularly weighed in at over 300 pounds while sporting a size 21 shoe. While he saw time as a backup rim protector in his first few seasons, he became a starter during his senior season, averaging 4.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game.

Ojo is best remembered for his standout performances in the 2017 ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament, as his size was too much for some teams to handle. After his time in Tallahassee, Ojo got his professional start in Serbia for KK FMP. He moved to Belgrade in 2018, and averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in the Adriatic League.

Hamilton released a brief statement on Ojo’s death, calling the gentle giant “the most popular person in Tallahassee, and, certainly at Florida State University.” Hamilton added that Ojo was “a great teammate [who] really represented what the Seminole spirit is all about.”

27 years old is far too early for anyone to go, especially a promising athlete with so much to give in his life on and off the court. Condolences go out to Ojo’s family, Florida State, and his former teammates.