BEIRUT: Rony Abou Jaoude, the young basketball player who was admitted to hospital last week with brain injuries, died Tuesday. He was 26.

The Bejjeh club shooting guard, who was admitted following a road accident Thursday, died in the early hours of the morning at the intensive care ward of the Middle East Hospital in Bsalim, in the Matn.

Abou Jaoude, described by friends and family as a true servant to the sport, had been on his way home in Samaya, Jounieh, where he is thought to have lost control of his vehicle while passing near Yassouh al-Malak before colliding into a roadblock and veering off the road, where his car turned upside down.

Fans of the young athlete, moved over his loss, used social media platforms to express their sorrow.

“R.I.P Rony Abou Jaoude – Goodbye,” a Facebook page set up by his supporters, contained dozens of farewell messages.

“We may have lost a great person on Earth! But we definitely won an Angle in Heaven! R.I.P,” one of the posts read.

“Rest in peace Rony Abou Jaoude and may god bless your soul,” read another.

Although not a household name, Abou Jaoude had over the last years been a remarkable player in the Lebanese league.

He played for Sagesse in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons as a shooting guard, helping the team stay in the top tier despite financial constraints and the departure of most of their stars in 2006.

He joined Antranik in 2009 then moved to Hoops the next season before he ended up in Bejjeh, where he earned the captaincy for his leadership and sportsmanship.