LI Teen Dies After Collapsing During HS Basketball Tryout

COPIAGUE, NY — A Long Island teen died Wednesday after trying out for his school's basketball team, officials said.

According to ABC7, police and family members said Thursday that Carmyne Payton, 15, collapsed during the tryout after running laps.

Suffolk County Police confirmed with Patch that they are investigating the death of a 15-year-old male that occurred inside Copiague High School, and believe the death is non- criminal.

The boy's father, Arthur Payton, told Newsday he received a call Wednesday from school officials saying he needed to come to the school, and that they had called an ambulance for his son; when he arrived, his son was unconscious with medical workers around him, the post said.

Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta wrote to parents and the school community, saying the high school had experienced "the death of a student that has affected us deeply.”

Superintendent Kathleen Bannon also wrote to the community, stating that faculty and staff “express our condolences to the family and friends of this student." A team of counselors, psychologists, and social workers are on hand to assist students and community members, she added.

Arthur Payton told NBC 4 that his son had no prior health issues.