Ex-Maryland Basketball Player Killed In Texas Van Accident

BALMORHEA, Texas (AP) — Former Maryland basketball player Cliff Tucker has been killed in a West Texas van accident that left two other passengers dead. Tucker was 29.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says the van rolled Monday on Interstate 10 near Balmorhea (BAL'-muh-ray), 180 miles from El Paso. Investigators believe the tread on a rear tire separated and the driver lost control.

Tucker was from El Paso and played four years at Maryland, finishing in 2011. He was one of the school's top 3-point shooters.

He played on NCAA Tournament teams in 2009 and 2010 under former coach Gary Williams. Williams said in a statement Tuesday that Tucker was "willing to do whatever it took to make us champions."

Also killed were Andrew Akaji, 29, of Belleview, Florida, and Amanda Akaji, 25, of El Paso. The driver and three other passengers were hurt.

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