Reggie Chaney, former University of Houston basketball player, dead at 23

College basketball was mourning the loss of former University of Houston forward Reggie Chaney on Monday night.

Chaney passed away at the age of 23, according to multiple reports, though the cause of his death was not immediately known.

He had been set to join the AE Psychiko — a professional basketball team in Greece — according to the Houston Chronicle .

Chaney played two seasons for the Arkansas Razorbacks before he transferred to the University of Houston, where he played three seasons.

This past season had been his final one with the Cougars and he was named American Athletic Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year.

A native of Tulsa, Okla., Chaney was on the 2021 University of Houston team that advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

“I’ve always said, ‘Reggie, you’re my security blanket,'” Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson said in March about Chaney, according to KHOU-11 . “Some days when it’s hot, I may not need you, but if there’s a little bit of a chill in the air, it’s good to know I’ve got that blanket there.”

Chaney played in more than 100 games for the University of Houston, despite dealing with hand, knee and back issues while there.

“Two words that describe Reggie “Always Dependable,” former Houston teammate Justin Gorham wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “No matter the situation yk Reg gonna give his 110%. Glad I got the chance to lace em up with him, without Reg we don’t accomplish half the things we did. Rest easy brother LOVE.”

Members of the University of Arkansas athletic family also reacted to the news.

Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman said in a statement to WholeHogSports that the “men’s basketball family is devastated to hear of the loss of Reggie Chaney.”

“He was a relentless worker and loved by his coaches and teammates. His family is in our thoughts and prayers,” Musselman said.

Former Razorbacks teammate Mason Jones also posted a tribute to Chaney on X .

‘Pls give Reggie his flowers … if only y’all knew what he was really going through .. just a kid from Tulsa .. going to miss you brotha fr .. real life brotha, roommate and one of the realest guys you will ever meet !” he wrote.