Buford Basketball Player Passes Away

For the second time in nine months, the Buford Wolves have lost a member of its sports family. Adam Smith passed away Sunday night at Northside-Forsyth Hospital after being taken there via ambulance Thursday. Smith, 16, collapsed Thursday during a conditioning drill as he was preparing for the upcoming basketball season. According to a Buford spokesperson, Smith stopped running and told a teacher of some discomfort before collapsing and being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

The spokesperson said the Buford community is still absorbing the loss of a great young man. He was an organ donor and 15 organs were donated, allowing 15 other people to live through his sacrifice.

It is not known at this time how the school will memorialize Smith. The school is honoring the memory of former football assistant coach Ryan Daniel in each end zone this football season with the "R-D" of Buford a different color than the rest of the lettering. Daniel collapsed while playing basketball this past January. He was a 30-year-old graduate of Buford who had returned to teach and coach three different sports at his alma mater.