UNIONDALE, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A community on Long Island is mourning the tragic loss of a rising high school basketball star who was killed in a car crash Wednesday afternoon.
Police said 15-year-old Jomani "Jo-Jo" Wright, a sophomore at Uniondale High School, was a passenger in the backseat of a 2012 Honda CRV that struck a pole after colliding with a 2006 Toyota being driven by an 87-year-old man.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Front Street in Uniondale around 2 p.m. Wednesday as Wright and three other teens were reportedly heading to a gym to workout.
Wright was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center, but could not be saved.
The other teens in the vehicle, as well as the driver of the Toyota, were taken to local hospitals for non-life threatening injuries.
Wright's death has sent shockwaves through the community.
"The Uniondale family and the world lost a young legend," Uniondale Basketball wrote on Instagram.
According to the team, Wright had racked up quite the resume at his young age.
He was a varsity player in eighth grade and was named Nassau County's Player of the Year in ninth grade. He was also one of the top-ranked freshman in New York State last season.
"If you put the basketball aside, Jojo was the definition of a student athlete, he was a scholar, extremely brilliant kid," his team said. "Jojo was loved by so many because of his big heart and the way he made everyone around him feel. He was a kind-hearted kid that everyone loved. Our prayers and condolences goes out to his family during this tough time. Words cannot describe how we feel because this is not normal. Jojo had so much ahead of him and for it to be cut so short is just heartbreaking."
His coach told the New York Post that the starting point guard "wanted to be a big-time player" with his sights set on the NBA.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is trying to make sure Wright's legacy lives on. She said Thursday that she is filing legislation to rename a portion of Uniondale Avenue, Jomani “Jo-Jo” Wright Way.
"Jo-Jo was an inspiration to his teammates, friends, family, and community. We honor his life, one filled with endless potential, which was cut short way too soon," Curran said.
No charges were filed in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
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