OKLAHOMA CITY — Connors State College basketball player Ethan Dietz died on Nov. 25 after being hit in the head during a game in Texas three days earlier. A coroner who examined Dietz's body reported the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and a collection of blood between his skull and brain, according to a statement from attorney Michael Holden.

Lawyers for the Dietz family said he was struck in the head by another player's elbow during the game. Holden alleged in a statement that Dietz was denied immediate medical evaluation and was put back in the game after his head injury. According to Holden, Dietz then joined his team on the two-hour bus ride home and was taken to a hospital after having seizures in his dorm room.

The law firm representing the family said it was investigating his death but has not filed a lawsuit. The specific school or arena in Texas where the game took place has not been publicly identified in connection with the case.

A spokesperson for Connors State College, located in Warner, Oklahoma, did not address questions about what medical care Dietz received after his injury in a statement released on Thursday. "Connors State College's top priority at this time remains caring for Ethan's family, the team and the CSC community as they continue to mourn this heartbreaking loss. The college is unaware of any active or pending litigation related to this matter and is unable to comment on any potential claim," the spokesperson said.

Bill Muse, the college's longtime men's basketball coach and athletics director, stepped down from the program for personal reasons several weeks after Dietz's death. The college has not publicly connected Muse's departure to the circumstances surrounding the player's death.

Dietz was a 6-foot-8 forward from Conway, Arkansas, who averaged 11 points per game through eight games last season. The school has roughly 3,000 students.

His mother, Krystal Dietz, said her son had dreamed of becoming a Division I basketball player. "He grinded year-round to better himself for the upcoming season," she said. "He had the discipline, dedication, and work ethic required to see that kind of dream through, had he only been given the time."