By: KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. – Former Kennesaw State basketball star Shuan Stegall passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 25 in Decatur, Ga.
"The Kennesaw State family was shocked this weekend with the loss of Shuan Stegall,” Kennesaw State Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Whitlock said. “Our hearts go out to Shuan's family, loved ones, teammates and coaches. Any news of a sudden loss is a tragic reminder of life's fragility, but it hits especially hard when it involves one of your own."
Stegall came to Kennesaw State at the start of the 2004-05 season after playing one year at Nebraska. He played his prep ball at Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., his hometown.
During his three years with the Owls, Stegall, a forward, cemented his legacy as one of the best players to ever suit up for the Black and Gold, leading the team in rebounding during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, while averaging over 14 points per game in each season. His best season came during his senior campaign in 07-08, when he scored 14.5 points per contest and grabbed an average of 8.3 rebounds. Overall, he averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 78 career games for Kennesaw State.
Stegall is one of just 11 players in the program’s history to score over 1000 points during their career. He reached that elite status during the final game of his collegiate career, which was one of his best. Playing at in-state rival Mercer in the team’s final game of the season, Stegall scored 21 points and had 18 rebounds to go along with six assists and three steals to help his squad to a, 65-61, victory over the Bears. The performance notched his 21st career double-double, and led to him earning A-Sun Player of the Week honors for that week.
“This is a very devastating and emotional time for all of us in the Kennesaw State basketball family,” Owls head coach Tony Ingle said. “Everyone who recruited and coached Shuan loved him. I know this is a tough time for his family. His mother and father, Tamika and Gerald, are just wonderful people and all of our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
“Shuan was just a good person. He was a great player for us, one of our better players during the re-classification period. He’s always been a part of the Kennesaw State family, and is well-loved and respected by his coaches and teammates. Shuan is one of the primary reasons we were able to win our second straight Peach Belt Conference championship in 2005. I have a lot of fond memories of Shuan the player, but also of Shuan the person.”
Following his collegiate career, Stegall would go on to play professionally overseas, first in Great Britain for the Cheshire Jets and then in Syria for Al Ittihad Aleppo. He is survived by his father, Gerald and mother, Tamika.
Shuan’s viewing will be held this Friday, Sept. 3 at Willie Watkins Funeral Home, 1003 Ralph David Abernathy in Atlanta. The funeral will be at Covenant Ministries Cathedral, 1700 Corey Boulevard, Decatur, Ga. on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Noon.
