Former South Carolina basketball forward Rolando Howell passes away at 34

The South Carolina Gamecocks basketball community has lost one of the cornerstones of the early 2000s. Rolando Howell, a forward who helped lead the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament in 2004, passed away at just 34 years old.

Howell suffered an injury to his C5 vertebrae in mid-May after a fall caused by a seizure, leaving him paralyzed. He would later begin undergoing treatment and rehab in Charlotte. However, it appears that complications from the injury eventually led to his death, although details aren't immediately available.

Howell averaged 9.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game in a career that spanned from 2001-2004. In his senior season, he averaged nine points and 5.4 rebounds an outing as the Gamecocks earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. However, a wrist injury held him out of the first round matchup against John Calipari's seventh-seeded Memphis Tigers, which Carolina lost by a count of 59-43.

The Gamecock Men's Basketball Family lost one its members last nite, Rolando Howell. Please lift his family, friends & teammates up n prayer

— Carey Rich (@TheCaptain_03) June 30, 2016

I just landed in Spain and reading about Rolando Howell. RIP brother

— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) June 30, 2016

RIP to one of my ex teammates Rolando Howell. Gone too soon. Prayers to his family. Rest easy bro. #RIPRo

— Terrell McIntyre (@TMcIntyre5) June 30, 2016

RIP Rolando Howell. Gone too soon. #Gamecocks

— Andrew Kitick (@akitick) June 30, 2016

The Garnet and Black Attack staff joins the Gamecock community in remembering Howell and send condolences to his wife, Reanna, and their family.