Kevin T. Connor and Matt Palmer, The Examiner
2007-04-16 21:07:00.0
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College Park -

Former Maryland basketball player LaRon Cephas has died at the age of 29, the university’s athletic media relations department confirmed Monday. The athletic office could not confirm the date or cause of death.

An employee at the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, where Cephas had served as the athletic director since August, confirmed that Cephas had died but could not comment any further.

Cephas played for Maryland from 1997 to 2001. A native of Wilmington, Del., he appeared in 64 games as a reserve and was a member of Maryland’s first men’s NCAA Final Four team in 2001. He averaged 1.1 points per game during his college career.

Current Maryland assistant coach Keith Booth played with Cephas at Maryland during the 1996-97 season. Cephas was red-shirted that year.

"This is a tragic loss for the Maryland family," Booth said. "We want to send our condolences to LaRon and his family. He was a true model of a student athlete. He represented himself and and family as well as he did the University of Maryland in every aspect of his life.

Booth said Maryland got word of Cephas' death Monday morning.

Former Maryland teammate Tahj Holden posted on an unofficial team message board Monday afternoon, confirming that Cephas had died.

"Just spoke with the basketball office," Holden posted. "It is true that Ceph [sic] is no longer with us. I will keep you updated as I get updated."

Attempts to reach Holden for further comment were unsuccessful.