BALMORHEA, Texas -- Former Maryland basketball player Cliff Tucker was killed in a West Texas van crash that left two other passengers dead. Tucker was 29.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says the van rolled Monday on Interstate 10 near Balmorhea, 180 miles from El Paso. Investigators believe the tread on a rear tire separated and the driver lost control.
Tucker was from El Paso and played four years at Maryland, finishing in 2011. He was one of the school's top 3-point shooters. He played on NCAA tournament teams in 2009 and 2010 under former coach Gary Williams.
"Cliff was a great teammate willing to do whatever it took to make us champions," Williams said in a statement . "One of the great things about coaching is getting to know each player and their passion for their family, life and basketball. That's what makes this so difficult. He touched everyone who was a part of his life."
Former teammate Greivis Vasquez wrote on Twitter:
Cliff Tucker and I had great moments. He was a great player, but even a better person.
— Greivis Vasquez (@greivisvasquez) May 29, 2018
My prayers are with his family and his beloved ones.
Cliff, I will always remember that last shot against Georgia Tech. You will be missed, but I know you will always be with us #RIP pic.twitter.com/E7zdPlKaCL
Tucker played in 131 games with Maryland, 12th most in the history of the program.
Perhaps his most memorable shot was a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Georgia Tech on Feb. 20, 2010. It was the third of seven straight wins for Maryland, which went on to earn a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title.
Also killed were Andrew Akaji, 29, of Belleview, Florida, and Amanda Akaji, 25, of El Paso. The driver and three other passengers were hurt.