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Raiders chair 'devastated' by former player's death

Charlotte CoxDevon
Plymouth Raiders Basketball Club Kinu Rochford smiles widely and gives a thumbs up to the camera with a Plymouth Raiders Basketball banner held up behind him among a crowd.Plymouth Raiders Basketball Club
Kinu Rochford played for the Plymouth Raiders in 2018

A former Plymouth Raiders basketball player who was fatally shot at a game in New York has been described as "hugely charismatic and well-loved" by the club's chairman.

Kinu Rochford, 35, was shot on Friday at the Kingdome Basketball Tournament in the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers on Lenox Avenue, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said.

Ross Mackenzie, Raiders chairman, said he was "devastated" over the loss of Rochford, who "exuded natural warmth" but was also the "fiercest of players".

"Every time he'd run on to the court, the reception he got from our fans was bigger than maybe any other player. It's a tragedy that someone so close to us has experienced this," he said.

Ross Mackenzie stands with his arms crossed looking to the side with a serious expression
Ross Mackenzie spoke to the BBC about his devastation following the loss of the player, with whom he said he had become close

Mackenzie said Rochford had "left his mark" during his 2018 season in Plymouth.

"Running around in his dungarees, high-fiving everybody, just this 6ft 6in larger than life guy - he didn't deserve what happened to him and that's heartbreaking for us all here.

"I'm devastated, I knew him very well personally, we stayed in regular contact, we had a close bond.

"He really lit the place up - he was fantastic."

He said he and Rochford, who came from Brooklyn, had shared conversations about crime in New York and some of the tragedies that had impacted those he knew.

"That makes this situation even more tragic - that we had spoken about it," he added.

The incident, having taken place at a basketball game, had "turned a safe space into the scene of a tragedy".

Damian Pudner Kinu Rochford holds a basketball as he is captured in motion at the centre of the court with other players around him Damian Pudner
Kinu Rochford was described as being "fierce" on the court
Plymouth Raiders Basketball Club Kinu Rochford holds an arm in the air as he hugs a mascot with other players standing around him.Plymouth Raiders Basketball Club
Kinu Rochford was described as a "larger than life" character

After playing at high school, Rochford moved into the professional ranks in 2013, making appearances for teams in countries including France, Kosovo, Israel, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Although he had since retired, Mackenzie said he was a high profile member of the New York streetball community.

Mackenzie said it was likely the team would commemorate the player at the start of the season in September.

"There will be a lot fans at the game who will also remember him from his time here."

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was "heartbroken" for Rochford's family and called for"this senseless violence" to stop.

The NYPD told the BBC that Rochford had suffered a "gunshot wound to the head" and was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside hospital in a critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

The NYPD said a 28-year-old man and 22-year-old woman were also injured.

The force said there had been no arrests but the investigation was ongoing.

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