Though most people knew R.J. Demps as a star basketball player, family and friends who have begun to gather in town say they want to remember him as much more.
“He was a great basketball player but he was not just that,” said former coach Ken Shaw. “His attitude, optimism, work ethic, he had all the things you would value in a young man.”
Early Wednesday morning Demps was driving to the airport to sneak in some time with family in Colorado over the holidays before his next game on Dec. 30.
On his way to the airport, Demps was killed in a one-car accident. Another team member in the car, Quaran Johnson, escaped with minor injuries.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but Shaw said authorities believe the vehicle lost control over black ice and struck a tree.
Demps, who would have been 21 Thursday, grew up in Aurora, attending Smoky Hill High School, but when his beloved coach Shaw moved to Regis Jesuit High School, Demps followed him there.
Demps was named an all-stater by The Denver Post during his 2008-09 season with the Raiders, when they earned a Class 5A title.
Demps continued playing basketball in college as a reserve guard at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., and was also working toward a double major in criminology and communications.
A memorial is set for 1 p.m. today at the Guys Gibbs Gym, Boys Division at Regis. A reception will follow at 2 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 or yrobles@denverpost.com
