Colorado State launches fundraiser for player whose parents died in fire

Colorado State has launched an online fundraiser in hopes of supporting junior forward Emmanuel Omogbo, whose parents died in a fire on Tuesday morning.

Omogbo’s parents were pulled out of their house in Chillum, Md. during a fire, but they died on the scene. Omogbo’s sister’s 2-year-old twins were also at the home and were taken to a hospital where they also died.

Some family did survive, including the twins’ mother, who jumped out of a second story window. The home the family was renting reportedly did not have smoke detectors.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking for Emmanuel, his family and for all of us that know him,” Colorado State University coach Larry Eustachy said in a statement. “There are no words to describe how it felt to hear this terrible news earlier today. They were a beautiful family that I enjoyed getting to know. The entire Colorado State men’s basketball team, athletic program and university will be there to support and help Emmanuel in any way we can through this incredibly tough time in his life.”

Omogbo was born in Nigeria but was raised in Hyattsville, Md. He was a junior college all-american at South Plains College in Texas last season. Through 18 games this season at Colorado State, Omogbo was averaging 11.4 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per game.

Colorado State’s athletic department set up a GoFundMe account that is NCAA compliant for Omogbo.

“Funds collected will be used for funeral, medical, temporary housing, or related expenses. Funds raised in excess of the support needed for those expenses will be donated to a charitable cause, per NCAA bylaws,” the fund’s page says.

As of Wednesday evening, over $38,000 had been raised for Omogbo’s family, with a goal of $50,000. Here is the page if you would like to donate.