The unexpected death of star basketball player and kind-hearted senior Timari Rivera rocked the Staples High School and Westport community as news of the loss spread through social media early Monday. The Hour reports that the high school senior died suddenly Sunday night, with causes unknown at this time.

The Staples High School administration immediately launched support services for students, staff, and teammates upon arrival to school on Monday morning, with options given for those off-campus due to distant learning.

Rivera was a resident of Bridgeport - attending Westport Public Schools since first grade, according to The Hour, through CES’ Open Choice program - which allows urban children to attend suburban schools, and suburban children to attend urban schools based on a lottery system.

Rivera was known to his longtime classmates and basketball teammates as kind, gentle, hard working, and a star basketball player. Friends of Rivera said that he was excited about his future, with college acceptances beginning to come in and a future of college basketball in his sights. Rivera was ranked 23rd in the State, according to CBS Sports’ Max Preps.

Classmates met at Longshore Monday evening to celebrate Rivera’s life through a small outdoor vigil. More information and memorial arrangements are forthcoming.