BASKETBALL:THERE WAS general shock and disbelief in Irish basketball yesterday after it was learned that Stuart Robbins, one of the outstanding players in the recently concluded Superleague, had died suddenly at the age of 33.

The Welshman, who had enjoyed a tremendous debut season with the University of Limerick Eagles, was discovered in his hotel bedroom in Galway yesterday morning, having spent the weekend coaching the college side at the annual Intervarsity basketball tournament.

A post-mortem is due to be carried out today. It is believed that Mr Robbins died in his sleep.

“We are all totally stunned and devastated by this,” said John King, the Eagles’ chairman last night. “He was a tremendous young guy – literally larger than life. Stuart had become the go-to man on our team in his first season. He was our one professional player, the guy we depended on but much more than that, he was a really important and popular figure in the club. He helped out a lot with coaching in the college and with youngsters around Limerick and was brilliant.

“You can imagine how kids of nine and ten reacted at seeing this 6ft 11in giant of a man coming in and he was brilliant with youngsters. At this stage, it is hard to actually believe that this has happened and we can only offer our deepest sympathies to his family.”

“He was a great fella. I was up at the Intervarsities for a few hours on Friday and I met him and he was just in great form. He had enjoyed the season. . . it is devastating news and no-one here in Basketball Ireland can quite believe it,” said Basketball Ireland PRO Shane Whelan last night.

It is understood Robbins’ family are travelling from their home in Port Talbot, near Swansea, today. Limerick had recruited the centre in part because Matt Hall, one of his closest friends from Wales, was playing point guard for the club.

Robbins was in the mature phase of a professional career which saw him play for clubs in Australia, Britain and Europe.

He played several seasons for German club Bayern Munich before signing for Limerick this year.