14-year-old Granger teen killed playing basketball in home

GRANGER, Ind. – A 14-year-old died Friday night after a basketball rim, backboard, and support bracket fell on him, according to St. Joseph County officials.

Nolan Gerwals was playing basketball at an indoor basketball court in his home when the pieces of the basketball hoop broke and fell on him.

Emergency crews were called to the Granger home just before 6 p.m.

According to officials, when medics arrived they treated and then transported him to Memorial Hospital.

Gerwels died at the hospital, according to police.

Margaret Gerwels, Nolan's mother, gave ABC 57 a statement Saturday afternoon:

"There are no words to describe our grief over losing our Nolan. Nolan was an outstanding honors student at Discovery Middle School and was excited to begin high school at Marian in the fall. He loved sports and played baseball, ran cross country, and enjoyed track-but mostly the field events. His true passion was basketball. Nolan would spend hours practicing drills, working on his shot, and running game scenarios over in his head. He had hoped to one day play college ball. Nolan wasn’t just sports and academics, he was a genuinely all-around nice guy. He valued his friends and his family. Nolan was a one of a kind kid and he made this world a better place. His absence will forever weigh heavily on our hearts. He will always, always be loved."

According to family members, the frame and bracket did not break, it entirely detached from the wall.