Zeke Upshaw always had a big heart.

For the ultra talented 6-foot-6 swingman out of Illinois, his temperment and character extended around the world and across the game of basketball, into the kids and commmunity in his native Chicago, and deeply resonated amongst his dear friends and family, including Zeke’s mother, Jewel Upshaw. She’ll be the first to proudly share what kind of person her son was in and out of the game.

“I am not just saying this because he was my son. He was an amazing all-around human being,” Jewel Upshaw explained.

It has been over two years since Zeke collapsed on the court at The DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan near the end of a game on March 24, 2018 between the G-League’s Grand Rapids Drive and the Long Island Nets resulting in Zeke’s death from sudden cardiac arrest two days later.

Heartbreaking. Unbelievable. Sad. In the end, the unfortunate occassion has provided the chance to keep Zeke’s passion for life alive and well by launching the Zeke Upshaw Foundation. Since then, Jewel has been advocating for spreading heart health awareness and improving heart screenings for all athletes. For basketball agent B.J. Bass and his annual RBA Showcase, this time marked the perfect opportunity to remember and honor Zeke’s hardwork and legacy in basketball, as the former Illinois State and Hofstra player used his time at the RBA Showcase to catupult his professional overseas and G-League career.

After graduating from Illinois State with a degree in apparel, merchandising and design in 2013, it’s only fitting that the RBA Showcase and Wooter Apparel recognize Zeke Upshaw and the Zeke Upshaw Foundation with a unique customized shooting shirt for the upcoming 11th Annual RBA Showcase at Basketball City.

Jewel Upshaw kindly joined Wooter Apparel to remember her son, share about Zeke’s journey and zest for life, stressing the importance of giving back to your community, and the mission of providing heart screenings for athletes…

For those who knew Zeke Upshaw best in basketball, he was known for being a hard-working swingman, a battler on the court, and a tremendous teammate. What kind of person was he away from the game and how did he get the nickname “Zeke”? 

Zeke was so patient and kind. He wanted everybody to win! He was the best son any parent could ask for and I am not just saying this because he was my son. He was an amazing all-around human being. Zeke wanted to be called “Zeke” because he did not like his birth name “Zena”. He would get teased in grade school and the kids would call him Xena, the Princess Warrior.  When he got accepted into the University of Chicago Lab Schools, one of the first things they ask the students was, ‘What name would you like to be called?’. They were big on self-expression.   

From playing sparingly at Illinois State and then finishing up at Hofstra as one of the most improved Division 1 players in the nation after averaging 19.2 points per game as a graduate transfer, what was Zeke the most proud of when reflecting on his college career?

He was most proud of getting his Master’s Degree in in higher education leadership and policy studies, hands down! He enjoyed the accolades at Hofstra but when he received his Degree, he politely told us to call him “Master Zeke”! I miss him so much!

After college, Zeke went on to play internationally in Slovenia and Luxembourg. How did the chance to live and compete overseas change his outlook on the world and prepare him for the G-League?

It made him more determined to excel at the game he loved! He also knew how much harder he needed to work to get to the next level, regardless if it was the G-League or the NBA. Zeke wanted to see more of the world. He enjoyed exploring the different cities adjacent to Slovenia and Luxembourg. He went to Paris, Italy, Germany, Greece and Croatia! He was a jet setter like his Mom. He was comfortable traveling. 

Away from the game, it meant a lot for Zeke to be able to give back to his community and be a mentor to young kids deeply in need of positive role models. Why was this such a big focus for Zeke?

It was a big focus because I instilled that in him and as an only child. It was important that he was not selfish and knew the importance of giving back and helping kids stay on track. In addition, Zeke has little cousins that simply adore him and look up to him. 

It has been a little over two years since Zeke passed away after suffering sudden cardiac arrest in March, 2018. What has this time been like since his passing and why was it important to launch the Zeke Upshaw Foundation in his honor?

It has been the most challenging and debilitating time of my life. However, I felt the need to ensure that Zeke’s legacy is continued and by starting the Zeke Upshaw Foundation, this will allow me to attempt to do some of the things that I knew Zeke would have done over his basketball career and lifetime.  

What has been the response to the Zeke Upshaw Foundation and the impact in advocating for heart health awareness and heart screening for athletes?

The response has been quite tremendous but with COVID-19, some of our plans are paused. We will still be holding heart screenings soon, along with mentoring and tutoring kids as Zeke was doing prior to his passing. We also would like to start a Team in his honor as well. Team Zeke!

For the past 11 years, the RBA Showcase has been a chance for professional basketball players to showcase their skills and abilities in hopes of starting or advancing their careers. This year the Showcase also doubles as an opportunity to remember Zeke, with RBA Showcase and Wooter Apparel teaming-up to create a customized shooting shirt honoring the Zeke Upshaw Foundation. What does this say about Zeke and what were your initial thoughts after seeing the custom-made shooting shirt? 

I cried! I was elated and overjoyed that Wooter Apparel and the RBA Showcase are honoring my Zeke in this way! He truly deserves this. He played in the Showcase before and I am just so grateful you saw fit to do this and celebrate him! 

It is our hope that Zeke’s memory lives on by being able to share his story. Many feel the same with a number of NBA and G-League players paying their respects on social media after his passing, including the Detroit Pistons memorializing his career by issuing an “honorary call-up” from the Grand Rapids Drive in March, 2018. What did that gesture mean to you and does that say about Zeke Upshaw as a person and player? 

It says just what I have and will continue to say: My Zeke was an outstanding human being, on and off the court. He deserved more! His work ethic and loyalty were unmatched and he is terribly missed. I will celebrate him until I join him.