Lafayette Dorsey Jr. Dead: College Basketball Standout Dies at 23

Lafayette Dorsey Jr., a college basketball player with Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has died at the age of 23. His cause of death has not been made public. Dorsey is survived by his father, Lafayette Dorsey Sr., mother, Chelesa Dorsey, and sister, Adoriah Dorsey.

A Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office spokesperson told Heavy, “Lafayette Dorsey Jr. was found dead on 8/6/2020 at 07:07 hours at a residence located in the 3700 block of Grayburn Avenue in Los Angeles.” The spokesperson did not give a cause of death and added that “the examination is pending.”

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One Friend Paid Tribute to Dorsey, Saying: ‘If You From LA, You Know How Cold Laf Was’

On August 6, Ball Is Life’s national grassroots editor Ronnie Flores tweeted, “Shocking news: #RIP Lafayette Dorsey Jr. Wording starting to spread that the former L.A. Dorsey/Pacific/Nicholls St. standout is no longer with us 🙏🏼. He’s a former Coliseum League MVP and his father was also a #LACity standout #HSBB player. Stunning.” One fan responded to Flores’ tweet, “Unbelievable, this is tragic & terrible news. So sad. His spirit and confidence was always off the charts. Praying for his family.”

Dorsey’s University of the Pacific teammate Pierre Crockrell II tweeted, “Rest In Peace Lafayette Dorsey🕊.” The University of Colorado’s Evan Battey tweeted, “If you from LA, you know how cold Laf was. Love you bro. See you up there someday.”

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In His Senior Year in High School, Dorsey Helped His Team Win a Championship While He Was Named as the League’s MVP

Dorsey attended the OnPoint Hoops Academy in Oklahoma, according to his Draft Express profile. His position is listed as point guard. Dorsey stood at 6 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds. Dorsey also attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. He won the Coliseum League title in his senior year and was named the league’s MVP.

Dorsey’s profile on the University of the Pacific’s website says that he went to OnPoint after his senior year in high school. During his time in Oklahoma, Dorsey was the team’s second-leading scorer.

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Dorsey Announced His Intention to Transfer to Nicholls State University in May 2019

Dorsey’s transfer to Nicholls State University was confirmed on August 15, 2019. He redshirted during the 2019-20 season. His most recent game was in the 2019 West Coast Conference Men’s Tournament against Pepperdine University that ended in defeat. On May 27, 2019, Dorsey entered the transfer portal.

Dorsey spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons with the Pacific Tigers at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Dorsey was a communications studies major at the school.

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Dorsey’s Father Was a Standout High School & College Player Who Went Professional

Dorsey’s father, Pastor Lafayette Dorsey Sr., was a basketball standout in his youth. Lafayette Sr. played college basketball at Pepperdine University and St. Martin’s College in Washington State. He also played professionally in Israel, Switzerland and the Philippines, according to a profile on his ministry website.

Dorsey Sr. appeared in the 2011 vampire movie Priest. His ministry website says that Dorsey Sr. acted in commercials, television, theater and film. The bio notes, ” Although he now only plays basketball on an extracurricular level, he has continued his acting career while holding fast to his godly principles.”

Dorsey Sr.’s website refers to his son, Lafayette Jr., as going by the name, R’Jai. The family lived in Los Angeles.

Dorsey told The Los Angeles Times in February 2016 that his father was a graduate of Susan Miller Dorsey High School. The article described Dorsey as “attacking the basket and also dishing off for assists. He’s playing with a sense of urgency.” Dorsey told the newspaper, “It’s my senior year. I’m trying to go to college.”

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