Former Houston basketball forward Reggie Chaney, 23, dies days before playing pro overseas

Former Houston basketball forward Reggie Chaney has died, the team announced on Tuesday. He was 23.

"We are heartbroken by the passing of forward Reggie Chaney," the Cougars said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter. "#32 will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him."

No cause of death was provided.

Chaney played on the Cougars' basketball team for three seasons from 2020 to 2023 and was part of Houston's NCAA tournament run to the Final Four in 2021, Elite Eight in 2022 and Sweet Sixteen in 2023. He appeared in 104 games (24 starts) in his time at Houston and was named the 2022-23 American Athletic Conference Sixth Man of the Year.

In a touching tribute, Houston head basketball coach Kelvin Sampson revealed that Chaney signed a contract to play professional basketball overseas and was less than a week away from departing prior to his death.

"First in his family to graduate college. Reached his dream of signing a professional basketball contract," Sampson wrote on X. "He was leaving Monday, Aug 28th for Greece."

"A son, a grandson, a brother, the ultimate teammate. The identity of our Cougar basketball culture. A winner," Sampson continued. "Thank you God for allowing Reggie to come into our lives. Rest easy Reg. Your legacy will live on forever. I love you and miss you dearly."

Tributes continued to pour in from Chaney's former teammates. Jarace Walker, who was selected out of Houston with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, wrote that the news of Chaney's death "hurt me to the core man."

Former Houston guard Marcus Sasser wrote, "Ima miss you and love you forever 32."

Cougars guard Jamal Shead wrote Chaney was a “big brother to me," adding, "Sucks I gotta say goodbye so soon. Will forever love and miss you Reg bro, rest in power brother.”

Former Houston guard Kyler Edwards said he and Chaney are "brothers for life no matter what."

"You just don’t understand how bad this one hurt me!" Edwards wrote in an Instagram post. "Blood couldn’t make us closer and I truly believe that because with us our bond goes way beyond basketball... You have had a big impact on my journey as a person and as a basketball player.. Never in a million years would I think it would be this soon! I don’t have a million words to say ..I’m just really lost and it’s doesn’t feel real.. Love you brother."

Chaney spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Arkansas, where he blocked a shot in 34 of his 63 career games (nine starts). Razorbacks head basketball coach Eric Musselman said his team is "devastated" by the news of Chaney's death.

"The Razorback men’s basketball family is devastated to hear of the loss of Reggie Chaney," Musselman wrote on X. "He was a relentless worker and loved by his teammates. His family is in our thoughts and prayers."

Chaney announced his decision to transfer from Arkansas to Houston in June 2020. He described his time with Arkansas as "a wonderful experience" in his departure letter to coach Musselman, his teammates and fans.

"I would like to thank Coach (Mike) Anderson and his staff for recruiting me, as well as coach Musselman and his staff for developing me further," Chaney wrote in a statement. "To my teammates, thank you for pushing me each and everyday un practice. All the memories we have, I will cherish 4L. Thank you to all the Razorback fans for your unconditional love and support. It has truly been a pleasure to play at Bud Walton Arena." 

Chaney graduated from Houston in May with a degree in liberal studies. Following the 2022-23 basketball season, Chaney wrote on Instagram, "Thank you Houston it's been real."