Former Southeastern Community College basketball player Alier Riak, 23, who played for the Blackhawks from 2017 to 2019, was stabbed to death early Sunday, March 13 in Victoria, Australia – his home country.
According to the official Victoria police website, emergency services in Melbourne received a report of a brawl early Sunday morning.
The officers found two men - Alier and his brother Kuol Riak - with upper body stab wounds at the scene.
Riak was later identified as one of the victims. He died from his wounds soon after arriving at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Kuol Riak was discharged from The Alfred Hospital later that same morning.
Riak started his college basketball career at SCC, where he played two seasons as a 3-point specialist, with his sophomore year resulting in a 27-5 record that qualified the team for an appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 tournament.
After his stint at SCC, Riak transferred to Winona State in Winona, Minn., where he spent the remaining two years of his college career. After graduation, Riak returned to Australia to chase a professional basketball career in his home country, playing in the semi-pro NBL1. He spent the 2021 season with the Warwick Senators, playing in 18 contests and averaging 8.5 points per game and 5.4 rebounds, and signed to play with the Darwin Salties for the 2022 summer season, though he did not get a chance to play for his new team before his death.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Riak's family with the costs of his funeral and the transport of his body.
"Alier was a gentle soul. Not only was he kind, he was selfless, hardworking and full of love for his family and friends. Being a role model, Alier’s influence was huge within his community and beyond," organizer Thon Riak posted.
So far, the page, titled "A Dignified Send off for Alier Riak," has raised over $56,000.