LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky said Ben Jordan, a right-handed pitcher who played last season on the men’s basketball team because of a lack of players, died. He was 22 years old.
The school announced Jordan’s death on Monday in a statement and a Kentucky baseball spokesman said coach Nick Mingione had spoken to the player’s family. School release did not specify the cause of death.
Mingione said in a statement on Tuesday that the program was devastated to learn of Jordan’s passing.
“There are no words to express the shock and hurt that our team is feeling at the loss of Ben,” said the coach. “It was an absolute joy to train and be around. … We are all suffering and we will find a way to take Ben’s legacy forward and keep it in our hearts forever. “
Jordan, six feet tall and 250 pounds, joined the Kentucky basketball team last season, when he lacked enough players to practice. He played just a minute in two games, but training against 6-11 Nick Richards was quoted for helping Richards become the first team at the All-Southeastern Conference by The Associated Press and coaches.
“Ben has impacted our team last season in many ways with his kind heart, big smile and wonderful personality,” said coach John Calipari in a statement. “He cared deeply about this place and it meant a lot to him to be part of this team.”
The Olive Hill, Kentucky native had an average run of 7.27 won in 2019 after throwing 8 2/3 entries in 10 games and allowed eight strokes, eight runs (seven wins), 12 strokes with eight eliminations. Jordan redshired his 2018 freshman season while recovering from an injury.
Jordan was on the active baseball roster of 35 Kentucky players last spring, but he did not join the team because of his basketball obligations before the season was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. He also made it to the SEC’s Spring Sports Academic Honor Roll.