Redondo Union Beach High school fans, students and families are in mourning after finding out that star basketball senior Ryse Williams passed away just a day before he was expected to graduate. The 18-year old Williams died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. NBC4 says Williams was feeling sick a few weeks ago and when he went to the doctors he found out that he had stage four renal medullary carcinoma, which is a cancer that affects the kidney.
Redondo's principal Jens Brandt said at a vigil in Williams' hometown of Corona, "He was a star, but he didn't act like it. That was Ryse. He was an exceptional young man."
He was bound for Loyola Marymount with a full ride and was even supposed to go to orientation this weekend. His high school honored him by placing his jersey on an empty chair during the ceremony.