Community Remembers, Honors Jo-Jo Wright

UNIONDALE, NY — Support for the family of Jomani "Jo-Jo" Wright has been pouring in from around the area following his death in a car crash yesterday, and people have been memorializing the exceptional basketball player.

Wright, 15, died Wednesday night after a car he was a passenger in collided with another car being driving by an 87-year-old man at 2 p.m. in Uniondale. According to Newsday, Wright and the three other teens in the car were heading to a gymnasium for basketball practice. The Uniondale High School gym is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Diana, Wright's coach at Uniondale High School, told Newsday that Wright was a truly exceptional basketball player. "And he might have been one of the most talented players to ever walk the halls at our school. He had a great future," Diana said to Newsday.

In memory of Wright, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said that she would be filing legislation today to rename a portion of Uniondale Avenue in Wright's honor.

"Jo-Jo was an inspiration to his teammates, friends, family and community," she said in a statement. "We honor his life, one filled with endless potential, which was cut short way too soon."

Members of Wright's extra-mural basketball team, Heat Elite, have started a fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise money for his family. They have already raised thousands for the cause. You can donate by clicking here.