Watch CBS News

Iona basketball recruit Michael Haynes shot and killed in Chicago

(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - Police in Chicago are investigating the shooting death of a former Chicago high school basketball standout who recently committed to play at a Division I school.

Authorities say 22-year-old Michael Haynes was shot Thursday and died at a suburban Chicago hospital. Family members say he was shot while trying to break up a fight near his home.

Police say Haynes was shot in the wrist, chest and lower back.

Haynes played at Corliss and Washington high schools in Chicago. After high school, he transferred around before playing at Indian Hills Junior College in Iowa last season.

Haynes averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds for Indian Hills last season, the New York Daily News reported.

Officials at Iona College say Haynes was set to play for the school in New Rochelle, N.Y., in the upcoming season.

"It's just so hard," Iona coach Tim Cluess told the Daily News. "I don't know how to describe it. Once you got to know Michael you just couldn't wait to coach him. He came from a very rough area in Chicago and he just wanted to make a better life for himself. He was just looking for a chance to change his life."

According to CBS Chicago, Haynes was among four people fatally shot in the city over a 12-hour period between Thursday night and Friday morning.

As a freshman at Corliss High School, he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore year, he teamed with Deandre Liggins at George Washington High School, and led his team to the city championship game at the United Center, were they lost to Simeon Academy and Derrick Rose, the Sun-Times Media Wire reported.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.