Who was Cartier Woods? Detroit basketball player, 18, dies week after cardiac arrest during game
DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Cartier Woods, the Detroit Northwestern High School boys basketball player, who suffered cardiac arrest during a basketball game, has died. The 18-year-old collapsed on the court during a January 31 game against Fredrick Douglass Academy.
Detroit Public Schools Community District confirmed his death on Tuesday evening, February 7, after Woods' aunt, who is his legal guardian, decided to withdraw life support "after vital signs continued to be absent." Woods, who had informed a coach that he was feeling dizzy, collapsed only three minutes after the start of the basketball game. The coach tried to perform CPR to revive him, however, was unable to do so. Upon arrival, the paramedics used an Automated External Defibrillator on Woods before immediately rushing him to Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital, according to Fox2 Detroit. His condition did not change in the following days after being placed on life support at the hospital, according to schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. Thus, his aunt decided to take him off life support.
READ MORE
How did Ryan Vannah die? Family in shock as USTA champ, 43, dies after on-court collapse
Russell Giroux: 60-year-old man dies after Vermont middle school basketball game descends into chaos
Our thoughts and prayers are with Detroit Northwestern senior Cartier Woods and his family after he suffered cardiac arrest during Tuesday's boys basketball game.
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) February 2, 2023
Here's a video of his touchdown reception during the fall.
Keep fighting the good fight, Cartier!!! pic.twitter.com/ZPZoLElO3Y
'He was a very good person'
"He was very healthy - he loved basketball. He was very amenable, respectful. We're just asking for prayer - we need it," Woods' cousin Shantell told the outlet. "He was a very good person. He'd give anybody anything if he had it," said his aunt Dwanda Woods.
According to NDTV, the Detroit Public Schools Community District also issued a statement: "The DPSCD community is heartbroken by this sudden and untimely loss. We deeply thank everyone who has provided their prayers and well wishes." They also pointed out that information regarding Woods' funeral arrangements will be shared publicly once available.
Cartier Woods' cousin sets up GoFundMe
His cousin, Melonie Woods, has set up a GoFundMe page to meet with the medical expenses associated with his care. At the time of writing, more than $9,761 had been collected. The Frederick Douglass Academy basketball team, which was playing against Northwestern the night Woods collapsed, donated $200 and wrote: "Our hearts, thoughts & prayers go out to Cartier Woods and his family. Prayer(s) for their comfort and peace during this time of bereavement."
Melonie Woods, who is organizing the fundraiser, wrote on the page that her mother, Dwanda, adopted Woods when he was 3 days old "and helped him along the way to do what he loved to do play SPORTS." She further added that Woods "wanted to become a famous football or basketball player we supported him and wanted him to become just what he wanted to be! ... This is so sudden and so tragic to us!"