Rasmus Larsen Found Dead in Bed; Was Top NBA Prospect

Rasmus Larsen, ranked as one of the NBA's top young European prospects, was found dead in bed at his home in Belgium on Wednesday, but the cause remained a mystery.

The 20-year-old 7-footer from Denmark had uncharacteristically missed a team meeting earlier Wednesday when team officials from Belgium's Spirou Charleroi, who he played for, did a home check, according to the website Sportando.com. That's when they found him dead in his bed.

Larsen's death reached many basketball followers in the United States through Twitter.

Just spoke with Doug Neustadt, agent for gifted 7-foot Rasmus Larsen, who was found dead in bed. "We have no idea the cause," Neustadt says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 13, 2015

No word whatsoever on what caused Rasmus Larsen's death. Found lifeless by club officials in Belgium this morning. Awaiting autopsy results.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2015

The Sporting News reported that Larsen, ranked the seventh-best international prospect born in 1994 by DraftExpress.com, had opted out of this year's draft but would had been automatically eligible for the 2016 draft.

He had averaged 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12 minutes for Spirou Charleroi this season, according to the Sporting News. Larsen also had played for Manresa in Spain in the past.

Some reports had him once coming to Duke to play.

@ebosshoops he had an offer from Duke! And his younger brother Jacob is heading this way in 2016.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2015

Basketball officials in European have planned a small recognition for Larsen on Wednesday, noted one report.

The Euroleague will honor Rasmus Larsen with a mintue of silence before tip-offs at the Adidas NGT.

— David Pick (@IAmDPick) May 14, 2015

Others passed along their condolences on social media.

The pic of the day is... a tradedy. Rasmus Larsen, found dead at his home in Belgium. pic.twitter.com/H5ELLxJGaI

— Marc Mundet (@MarcMundet78) May 13, 2015

Wow. Future NBA draft pick Rasmus Larsen from Denmark found dead at home. Really sad to hear. Played in Belgium this year.

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) May 13, 2015

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