Staten Island mourns basketball star Marcus Nuamah's death

Marcus Nuamah, a beloved 19-year-old basketball star from Staten Island, died on March 19, 2025. His passing has deeply affected the community and his school, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School. Many have expressed their grief and support, showing how much he was loved. Nuamah was a standout player on the varsity basketball team and was elected captain by his teammates. His head coach, Danny Lee, admired him for being a leader who cared for everyone around him. Lee emphasized that Nuamah's smile could brighten any room and that he connected students from different schools. Nuamah was also known for his strong character and willingness to help others. He often practiced with the junior varsity team, motivating his peers to work hard and support each other. His impact extended beyond basketball, as he built friendships across the schools that shared the same building. On the court, Nuamah was an extraordinary athlete, leading his team in points and steals this season. Coach Lee had been in discussions with junior college teams to help Nuamah advance his basketball career, but those dreams were cut short. Lee expressed profound sorrow upon hearing the news of his death. Support has poured in from the Staten Island basketball community, with many coaches sharing their memories of Nuamah. Lee and his team are working with counselors to cope with this tragedy. A funeral will be held for Nuamah on March 28, and a GoFundMe has raised over $36,000 to assist with expenses. Nuamah will be remembered not only for his talent on the court but also for the positive influence he had on everyone around him.