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Teen Dies During Basketball Practice At High School In Queens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A teenage boy died Wednesday during basketball practice at his high school in Queens.

Sources tell CBS2 16-year-old Lenny Pierre complained of dizziness and vomited before collapsing around noon inside John Browne High School in Flushing.

Lenny was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, where he was pronounced dead.

Lenny Pierre
Lenny Pierre (credit: Family)

"He loved basketball," mom Edna Georges said. "Sometimes they say you die doing what you love. He died doing what he loves and I just want the world to know I lost a great person."

Sources say the boy has no documented medical issues, and Georges says he recently got a clean bill of health.

"He did a checkup before he joined the team" she said. "He has his annual visit in October, before his birthday, and the doctor didn't say anything wrong."

Department of Education Richard Carranza called it "a tragic loss."

"My heart is with this student's family, team, and school community," he continued.

"As a parent, and as a father of student athletes, I can only imagine the pain and sorrow being felt by Lenny's family, loved ones, and classmates" Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "On behalf of 8.6 million New Yorkers, I extend our deepest condolences."

The city's Medical Examiner will work to determine the exact cause of death.

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