Photo by Steve Frommell, d3photography.com

Fred Garland, who helped the Trine men's basketball team to the Division III men's basketball national title this past March, died in a car wreck on Wednesday night, Dec. 11. He was 22 years old.

Michigan state police confirmed to local reporters that Garland died in a single-car accident on Wednesday night along I-94 near Battle Creek, Michigan, about an hour north of campus. 

Fred had transferred to Trine along with his brother, Cortez, and the two of them helped the Thunder make their run to Walnut and Bronze. Cortez is a student assistant coach for the team this season, while Fred was averaging 14 points and 4.5 assists per game on the floor for the Thunder, who entered the week ranked No. 4 in the D3hoops.com men's basketball Top 25.

"Fred had an incredible work ethic on and off the court, and that propelled him to success as a person, student and basketball player," said Trine men's basketball coach Brooks Miller. "His winning smile brightened everyone's day whenever he was around. There is a huge hole in the heart of Thunder basketball today. We are thinking of and praying for the whole Garland family."

The university issued a poignant video in remembrance of Fred: