Zamarri Doby loved to make people smile

Zamarri Doby was the kind of guy who stood out as much for his sense of humor as he did for his size, friends and family members say.

"He always had some one-liner that would get everybody laughing or make the moment lighter," said classmate Scott Kuehn, who played football with Zamarri for the past two years at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora.

But there's little to lighten the mood this week as friends remember the 6-foot, 5-inch junior who died unexpectedly Sunday while doing what he loved -- playing basketball.

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Zamarri, 16, was competing at Plainfield South High School with the AAU Illinois T-Wolves 16-and-under team when he collapsed just minutes into the game.

Preliminary findings indicate Zamarri had a heart defect, according to Will County Coroner Pat O'Neil. A toxicology report still is pending and could take several weeks to complete.

Family members say there was never any indication of heart trouble. They say they hope their tragedy can at least serve as an early warning to other parents so they won't experience the same loss.

Sharon Doby said her nephew loved to smile.

"He had a beautiful smile," Sharon said Tuesday. "He loved the game, whether football or basketball. He was always running around making us laugh or doing something silly."

Zamarri's mother, Leatrice, said her son was the joker of the family, She described him as "fun-loving, lovable, full of spirit, outgoing."

But he also had big dreams of becoming a professional basketball player and was constantly practicing so he could make that happen.

Before Sunday's game Zamarri had told his mom he planned to score 40 points and she said he was determined to do just that.

"He always wanted to accomplish the goals he was out for," Leatrice said. "Whether it was basketball or football, he was a go-getter."

Teammates and classmates alike are flocking to the Internet this week to share their memories of Zamarri.

Waubonsie junior Cory Connolly started a Facebook Web page in Zamarri's honor. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 190 people had signed up as members.

Connolly, who played both football and basketball with Zamarri, described him as a competitive person who also was able to take a joke as well as he could dish it out.

"Everybody knew who he was, wanted to talk to him #8230; and be friends with him," Connolly said. "He didn't care what other people (thought); he was just enjoying life."

Waubonsie football players want to put a sticker on their helmets this fall with Zamarri's initials or jersey number as a way to honor their friend.

"It's such an incredibly unfortunate situation," Waubonsie Principal Jim Schmid said. "I feel so bad for the family and friends and the Warrior community. It's hard."

Leatrice said she appreciates the support from those who knew her son.

"I didn't realize my son was a part of so many people's lives," she said. "Now I see all the friends he had from all the years #8230; growing up. I didn't realize that at all. He will be missed."