By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Janis Timma has committed suicide.
His body was found at the entrance of a residential building in the center of Moscow, arriving emergency services confirmed to the Russian news agency TASS on Tuesday morning. The preliminary cause of death was ruled as suicide.
Earlier reports by several Russian outlets noted a phone next to the corpse and linked his death to an attempt to reconcile with his ex-wife Anna Sedokova. However, the investigation by local authorities is ongoing.
He was 32.
“Human connection is the cornerstone of our mental health. Please look after each other. Rest in Peace, JT,” a teammate on the Latvian national team, Kristaps Porzingis wrote in a post shared on his X account.
His basketball path
In 2008, Timma launched a professional basketball career, coming out of the ASK Riga youth system and debuting with the senior team.
The Memphis Grizzlies selected him with the 60th overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft. His rights were later traded to the Orlando Magic, leading to an appearance with the Florida franchise in the 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League and playing for the Lakeland Magic in the 2022 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
Representing Latvia stretched from multiple junior tournaments, including winning a bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA U18 European Championship, to starting a long and successful run as a member of the senior squad in 2014.
At the club level, his career was highlighted by 96 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Baskonia, Olympiacos, Khimki Moscow Region and UNICS, between 2017 and 2021. He also logged seven Basketball Champions League appearances with Darussafaka Lassa at the top of the 2023-24 season. Additional club continental experience featured 38 games in the 7DAYS EuroCup with VEF Riga and Zenit. He also played 24 EuroChallenge games with BK Ventspils.
Moment of silence
Joining several teams all around Europe to mourn the passing of Timma, Euroleague Basketball announced a moment of silence before each game in Round 16 of the EuroLeague Regular Season and Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season on Tuesday and Wednesday.