Ford Stuen, who played college basketball at Oklahoma State and most recently was an assistant coach at Saint Louis, died Tuesday at age 29.
Saint Louis announced his passing on Wednesday but did not state a cause of death. Media reports in St. Louis said he had been hospitalized since Easter with a stomach infection.
His uncle, Travis Ford, is the head coach of the Billikens. Stuen played for him at Oklahoma State from 2012-16 and spent five seasons on the staff at Saint Louis, the past two as an assistant coach after serving as director of player development.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches named him to their 30 under 30 list, which recognizes the best coaches under 30, in his first season on the bench.
He is survived by his wife, Courtney, and a stepdaughter, Lucy. Courtney Stuen is expecting a boy in August.
“Words cannot begin to express the pain and sorrow we are all experiencing right now,” athletic director Chris May said in a school statement. “Everyone associated with our program knew Ford as someone who was fully invested in working for the betterment of our student-athletes. His passion, positivity, and amazing outlook on life are things we will all take with us. Our hearts go out to Courtney, Lucy, and Ford’s wonderful family. Please keep the Stuen family, as well as Travis Ford and the Ford family, in your thoughts and prayers.”
The Billikens finished 14-7 last season after back-to-back 23-win campaigns.
–Field Level Media