Pacific guard Lafayette Dorsey, Jr. passes away, has ties to Arizona Basketball

The world lost yet one more young basketball player yesterday. His name is Lafayette Dorsey, Jr. and he has ties to Arizona Basketball.

It’s a tragic day in the college basketball community as former University of the Pacific and current Nicholls St. standout guard Lafayette Dorsey, Jr. passed away at the young age of 23 in Los Angeles. His cause of death has not been made public at this time, however, his passing hits hard, even with the Arizona Basketball family.

For those that don’t know, Dorsey Jr. actually has ties to Arizona Basketball, specifically with his childhood friend and current Wildcat forward, Ira Lee. However, it doesn’t stop there. In fact, because Lafayette played with Pacific, his former head coach is ex-Wildcat, Damon Stoudamire.

Arizona Wildcats

Note: As we wrote this post, “RIP Laf” and “Lafayette RIP” started trending on Twitter in Los Angeles, California. He has such a huge presence in Southern California, and he is a special kid that has touched the lives of so many people.

It’s always so sad to lose a young man so early in his life and Laf, as he was endearingly called, touched a lot of hearts.

Growing up, Dorsey Jr. played AAU Ball in Southern California and was a star in high school. “If you from LA, you know how cold Laf was. Love you bro. See you up there someday,” Tweeted Colorado forward Evan Battey who according to Lee was Dorsey’s main man.

From being a personal friend, this passing certainly hit Lee very hard. He told us, “He’s an LA legend.”

And we believe it, especially as Ira has seemingly become the heart and soul of the Wildcats, and an inspirational voice of this Wildcat Program.

https://twitter.com/iramandoesit/status/1291442548230066176?s=20

https://twitter.com/iramandoesit/status/1291487859245948929?s=20

A former Colosseum League MVP, First-Team All-City and CIF All-State and Champion in high school, he was a force to play against. His father, Lafayette Dorsey, Sr. was also a high school and college standout, as well as a pro. He is now currently the Pastor at Love and Live Again Ministries. We hope the family can find strength in their faith during this time.

Coincidentally enough, former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate who also played club basketball growing up in Los Angeles and shared an Instagram story with a picture of Laf and himself with the words, “Rest in Paradise Lafayette Dorsey.”

Dorsey was playing at Nicholls State last year in Louisiana (he had redshirted), but before that he played for Damon Stoudamire at the University of the Pacific Tigers in Northern California. Stoudamire expressed his condolences on Twitter:

Laf also played in the famous Drew League, a summer pro-am league in Compton California which includes current and former NBA, NCAA and High School Stars as well as Drew League legends.

Several other Wildcats have played in the Drew including Lee, Ryan Anderson, Jordin Mayes and Chance Comanche. Josh Green and Nico Mannion also stopped by last summer for a game and were looking to play this summer when the league announced. However, this year it was cancelled.

Former NBA Player Baron Davis, and Producer of a documentary about the Drew League titled “The Drew”, expressed his feelings on Twitter, “This is f*cked up!!! This hurts !!! my prayers goes out to a mentor a father a pastor. Lafayette Dorsey [Sr.] who lost his Son. Lil LAF RIP #LAUNFD. A great kid.”

One of his trainers from the Drew League, and Championship coach Keion Kindred brought it home with his comments. “Heart is heavy right now…. Rest In Paradise Lafayette Dorsey Jr. Thank you for trusting me with your development over the years! I will miss you, your contagious energy and work ethic! My prayers are with Big Laf and the family!” Dorsey also had ties to DeAnthony Langston who trains and holds summer runs in Carson, California, where Gabe York spent several summers playing. The more you research, the more you find out Ira was right, he is an LA legend.

Oregon State University assistant coach and father of OSU Players Stephen Thompson (former) and Ethan Thompson (current) also mourned the loss of Dorsey Jr.

Here are some highlights from the Drew with former NBA Player Nate Robinson and Dorsey Jr.

Here is an interview with Dorsey Jr. speaking about his trainers including Rico Hines (NBA G-League coach knows for his runs during the summer at UCLA with NBA Players), and how he bounced back from a wrist injury.

Rest in Power Laf! A lot of folks will be missing you here on earth including Damon and Ira.