AIKEN, S.C. -- The teammates and coaches of USC Aiken's Javonte Clanton are planning to head to Columbus, Ohio, this week for the star basketball player's funeral.
They and Clanton's Reynoldsburg friends and family will celebrate the life of a star point guard and star young man.
Clanton, 20, was killed in a car crash early last Wednesday morning just hours after playing in the regional championship game against ASU.
He was driving to back home to Columbus.
“The last 48 hours for our program has been pretty sad,” head coach, Vince Alexancer said.
The campus has remembered, the student body spoken out, but for the USC Aiken basketball team it is only now that they feel ready to tell the world about the Javonte Clanton they knew.
“Very caring young man, deep down inside, very caring,” Alexander said.
“He wasn't a hard-core personality like he showed on the court. He was actually soft when it came to being with his friends 'cause he cared and he was always there to listen,” teammate, Chris Commons, said.
“He wasn't happy unless he saw everybody else happy,” teammate, Brian Eqwuatu, said.
Commons, Eqwuatu and Coach Alexander all took time Friday to remember Clanton. There were some tough moments for the three.
“His picture will be in our locker room, and we'll try to honor him that way,” Alexander said.
Still they couldn't help but share the athlete's softer side especially his ability to imitate some of those closest to him.
“I don't know if I should mess with that one. I can though, I'm a senior. It was coach,” Commons said.
The team will attend Clanton's funeral in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday.
“That's when it's going to sink in that we’re not going to be able to see him again,” Eqwuatu said.
But Alexander says he's not sure if he's ready to let the star guard go but he'll try, for Javonte.
“Javonte would say hey you need to keep your head up and you need to think positive. Everything is going to be OK, going to be fine,” Alexander said.
Commons was selected for the Division 2 All Star team. He said after the recent tragedy he wasn't going to attend but his coach convinced him to play. Now he says he will take the court because that's what Javonte would have wanted him to do.
Along with hanging a picture of Javonte in the locker room the team will also have a scholarship set up in his name.
Coach Alexander said they will also make sure whoever wears Clanton's No. 22 will have the heart he had.
Clanton's funeral service was scheduled for noon Tuesday, March 24, at First Church of God, 3480 Refugee Rd., 43232.
Clanton's family will receive friends from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the start of service.
NBC AUGUSTA contributed information to this story.
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