Orlando Magic is mourning the loss of former player Jānis Timma, 32, who reportedly died by suicide

Orlando Magic is mourning the loss of former player Jānis Timma, 32, who reportedly died by suicide

The Orlando Magic and other members of the basketball community are mourning the loss of Jānis Timma, a Latvian basketball star who played for the Magic’s NBA G League team. He was 32.

Timma was reportedly found dead in Moscow early on Tuesday, December 17th The Moscow Times. His death was apparently a suicide, the media reported, citing the Russian state news agency TACC. The cause of Timms’ death is currently unclear.

“We are saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Janis Timma, who was a member of Orlando’s 2021 Summer League team and spent time with Lalekand (now Osceola) of the NBA G League in 2021-2022,” the Magic wrote on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and everyone who was close to him.”

Jānis Timma in August 2021 as a member of the Orlando Magic Las Vegas Summer League team.

Bart Young/NBAE via Getty


Timma was drafted in 2013 by the Memphis Grizzlies, who traded their draft rights to the Magic in 2015. He played for the Magic’s Las Vegas Summer League team in 2021 before spending time with the franchise’s NBA G League team.

“I just heard from Janis Timma. Damn,” John Hollinger, columnist for The athlete and former vice president of basketball operations for the Grizzlies, wrote on but a great career in Europe. I talked to him at Summer League two years ago and he seemed like he was doing well. RIP my friend.”

Other basketball personalities paid tribute to Timma, including Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić, who posted a photo of himself playing with Timma on his Instagram Stories.

“RIP,” he wrote in the caption.

EuroLeague basketball players observe a moment of silence for Jānis Timma before a game of the 16th round of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season on December 17.

Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty


“Rest in peace JT,” Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis, who played with Timma on the Latvia national team, wrote on his Instagram Stories.

Timma, who was 6 feet, 7 inches tall, played small forward. He was born in Latvia and played professional basketball throughout Europe and represented Latvia in international play. In February he signed a contract with the Spanish basketball team Monbus Obradoiro. EuroLeague Basketball held a moment of silence in memory of Timma on Tuesday before all EuroLeague Round 16 and EuroCup Round 12 games.

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If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org .

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