UVA PG signee Reece Beekman’s brother, Bryce, dies at age 22 at Washington State
Posted on Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2020, 2:49 pm
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By Jerry Ratcliffe
Bryce Beekman (Photo: Twitter)
Tragedy struck the home of Virginia basketball signee Reece Beekman on Tuesday when he and his family were informed that older brother, Bryce Beekman, had died in Pullman, Wash.
Washington State redshirt senior Bryce Beekman, age 22, was found dead at his residence in Pullman. According to reports out of Pullman, details on Beekman’s death will come later.
UPDATE (6:30 p.m. ET): According to Pullman, Wash., Police Chief Gary Jenkins, there were no indications of foul play or suicide, nor any connection to COVID-19 in the death of 22-year-old Washington State defensive back Bryce Beekman, the older brother of Virginia basketball signee Reece Beekman.
Jenkins said that police officers responded to a 911 call at 5:44 p.m. PST on Tuesday in a call for help involving “breathing problems,” at Bryce Beekman’s residence in Pullman. Jenkins said there would be an investigation into the official cause of death.
“We are in shock with the news of Bryce’s passing,” said Washington State athletic director Pat Chun in a released statement. “Bryce was a tremendous young man, great teammate and will be missed by all. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Beekman family and his many friends.”
New Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich broke the sad news to his team Tuesday night.
“My relationship with Bryce was still in its early stages, but I knew him to be a wonderful young man,” Rolovich said, also in a news release from the school. “He was always postive and well respected amongst his teammates. My heart goes out to his family and friends.”
Beekman, who was a former teammate of Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins at Arizona Western Community College in Yuma, transferred to Washington State for the 2019 season and recorded 60 tackles and an interception for the Cougars, who finished 6-7 under Coach Mike Leach. Leach left after the season to take the head coaching job at Mississippi State.
Beekman had reportedly returned home to Baton Rouge, La., on March 14 to see UVA basketball signee Reece, his younger brother. He posted a photograph of Reece posing with the “Outstanding Player” trophy from his team’s Division I championship game. Reece is a standout player for Scotlandville Magnet High School.
Reece Beekman, a 6-foot-2 point guard, signed with Virginia last summer after attending the NBA Top 100 Camp at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. He received more than 25 offers from a variety of schools across the country.
