Najeeb Echols was a key member of Young’s state and local championship teams in 1998. He died on Wednesday in Kansas after a heart attack.
Najeeb Echols, a Chicago basketball player, died at the age of 39.
Najeeb Echols, a Chicago native, died on Wednesday in Kansas after a heart attack. He was 39.
Jason Straight, a longtime friend of Echols and the current basketball coach at Providence-St. Mel:
“I had to leave practice, leave school today. He was an unbelievable guy, not just a basketball player. He was a talented singer and piano player.”
Echols wife Jaime posted a message on Facebook Wednesday night:
“My heart is breaking as I write these words… My husband, teammate, best friend, and the love of my life passed away early this morning. The world has lost an amazing man, but heaven has gained an amazing angel. My husband has earned his wings. His life was wonderfully lived, and is deserving of being wonderfully remembered.
“This is a shock,” “He was a loving person. I was very close to him.”
Cyrus McGinnis said:
Echols, Eddy Curry and a few other players were the subjects of a popular television show, “Preps: Chicago Hoops” that aired on Fox Sports in 2001. The three high school stars were good friends at the time and the friendships have survived the past two decades. “Eddy and I used to make fun of Jeeb all the time and ask him if he was going to be a baller or a singer,” Straight said. “We were all recently talking about getting together to do a where are they now-type look back on the guys from the show.”
Straight said:
Echols was a key member of Young’s state and city championship squad in 1998, which was regarded as one of the finest in state history.
Former NBA player Quentin Richardson led the group, which also included Dennis Gates and Cordell Henry. Echols was a freshman in 1998 when he became one of the best scorers in the state and a top ten prospect in the nation the next two years.
He most recently worked for Farmers Insurance, and in 2012 he founded Whatever It Takes Premiere Juvenile Club, a non-profit youth sports program focusing on basketball and track.
After moving from Young to Morgan Park and being deemed ineligible, he was forced to sit out his senior year. Echols attended Missouri and Illinois State University during his collegiate basketball career.
Najeeb Echols Wiki and Age
Najeeb Echols is 39 years old at the time of his death. He holds an American nationality and he belongs to white race.
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Najeeb Echols is married to Jaime and they have two children: Jada, a daughter, and Jalen, a son. His daughter, is a promising runner.
