MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis high school basketball star and LSU women's basketball starter was killed after being hit by a car in Memphis' Raleigh neighborhood early Thursday morning.
The Memphis Police Department said at 1:26 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a pedestrian hit by a car at Coleman Road and Raleigh Lagrange Road. The victim was taken to Regional One Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver stayed on the scene.
Memphis Police later identified the victim as 29-year-old Danielle Ballard, a former Central High School standout and three-year starter for LSU's women's basketball team.
Ballard led Central to a state championship in 2011, scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds in the final game. A four-star recruit out of high school, she went on to start three years for LSU, putting together a stellar college career that included two SEC All-Defensive Team honors and an All-SEC First Team honor in 2014-2015.
LSU released the following statement Thursday evening:
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Danielle. She meant a great deal to our program and was such a big part of our women’s basketball family. It’s difficult to understand why this happened to someone who was so full of life and had so much promise. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."
Memphis Police said the investigation into her death is ongoing.
