PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Community College men's basketball player Tejaan Ali died just outside of his hometown of Chicago, Illinois on July 18, 2020. The 19 year old was a redshirt freshman team member of the Panthers squad during the 2019-20 season. An autopsy performed showed the cause of death to be heart related for the PCC Student-athlete.

A 6-8 forward/center, Tejaan Ali is the second member of the 2019-20 PCC men's basketball team to lose his life in the summer of 2020. Fellow teammate Christopher Bendle was tragically killed in an automobile accident on May 28 near his hometown of Scappoose, Oregon.

"Tejaan was such a valued member of our 2019-20 basketball team," said PCC Head Men's Basketball Coach Tony Broadous. "He suffered a significant foot injury as we began practice for the 2019-20 season and that was a setback for him. The injury slowed down his ability to work out, but he was always at practice encouraging his teammates. Tejaan made a lot of sacrifices to be on the team this year, he rode the city bus from Beaverton to the PCC Cascade campus so he could be at practice every day. He also worked a part time job at Walmart to help support himself while being a full time student and college athlete. Tejaan was so excited about preparing for the upcoming 2020-21 college basketball season. Our team is devastated by this news and extend our deepest sympathies to all of Tejaan's family"

"We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news about the death of such an extraordinary young man," said PCC Director of Athletics Brad Barbarick. "Tejaan was a very humble, kind, caring and considerate teammate. In addition to being a member of our men's basketball team, Tejaan also worked on our soccer home game management crew. I was fortunate to get to know him well, he was an extremely likeable young man and such a joy to be around. Our men's basketball team has dealt with significant adversity the last several months, losing two teammates who were in the prime of their life, and it's heartbreaking. We continue to be mindful of all those who knew and loved Tejaan and Chris,".

Memorial and visitation services were held July 31 and Aug. 1 2020 in Tejaan's hometown of Chicago, Illinois.