HALIFAX — The coach of a former university basketball player who went on to play for the Halifax Rainmen says he was shocked to learn of the young man's death.
Steve Konchalski of St. Francis University in Antigonish, N.S., said Tyler Bradley Richards was respectful and well-liked by his teammates when he played for the school from 2004 to 2009.
"It's just a real tragedy that this has happened," Konchalski said of the 29-year-old former shooting guard.
"Regardless of the choices he made, the bottom line is that we've lost a friend and his family has lost a son and his little girl has lost her father."
Police confirmed late Monday that Richards was the victim of a homicide, but released few other details.
In a statement, they said his body was found inside a home on Cook Avenue in Halifax at about 8 p.m. Sunday. An autopsy by the medical examiner later confirmed his identity, but the cause of death was not revealed.
The investigation was continuing and forensic identification officers were processing the scene.
Richards played for the Rainmen, a National Basketball League of Canada team which folded soon after declaring bankruptcy last year, until he was suspended when he was charged with assault in 2013.
Andre Levingston, former CEO of the Rainmen, said in a statement Tuesday that the new Halifax Hurricanes basketball team was "saddened by the untimely death" of Richards.
"Tyler was a good ball player who brought his game to the court every chance he got," said Levingston. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
In a promotional video on Eastlink television for St. Francis Xavier, Richards talks about growing up in Mulgrave Park in Halifax and graduating from high school before being accepted to the university.
"Whether shooting the ball, crashing the net or hitting the books, just work hard and do your best," he said.
Richards was recently charged with cocaine trafficking, possession of cannabis resin and breach of probation following a traffic stop by police last month.
He was also charged with drug trafficking and weapons-related crimes in 2013.
"Tyler was a good person," Konchalski said, adding that his reaction to news of the death was "shock and a heavy heart. You don't expect this to happen."
