R.J. Demps, a college junior on the basketball team at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, was killed in traffic early Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle accident near Weston.

Director of Communications Steve Johnson says the team and the coaching staff thought very highly of red-shirt sophomore, and he will be missed.

“Somebody like R.J. who was very enthusiastic and humorous, who kind of kept the energy alive with the team,Johnson said. “I think everybody’s going to miss him quite a lot.”

“That’s a real tragedy for a small college like us,” Johnson said.

Johnson says the basketball teams were among the last students still on campus after the end of final exams last week. Demps and teammate Quaran Johnson were on their way to Kansas City International Airport to fly home to be with family for the holidays.

Johnson, nicknamed “Q,” suffered minor injuries, but has since continued on to his home in Philadelphia. Demps hails from Aurora, Colorado. R.J. and Q. were on their way to KCI when their vehicle crashed on Missouri Highway-45 near Weston.

Johnson says if there is a vigil or remembrance, it will be held after students return for the spring semester January 11.

According the Benedictine’s Athletic Department, Demps saw action in 10 games last year, shot 50% from the floor, and averaged 1.2 PPG. He was red-shirted during his freshman year in 2009-2010.

Demps led Denver Regis High School to the large school state championship during the 2008-2009 season.