ELIZABETHTOWN, N.C. (WECT) – This week usually would’ve been one to celebrate for Sayaun Dent’s family and friends. That’s because Dent’s 25th birthday was on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Instead, there were just the pictures and memories of Dent inside Elizabethtown Middle School this weekend.

It’s been over a year since Dent died after a distracted driver ran a stop sign and struck him while the former West Bladen High School basketball star was on his way to a “Stop the Violence” charity basketball tournament.

Dent’s legacy was celebrated this weekend at the 2nd annual Sayaun Dent Basketball Classic, an event organized by a memorial foundation in his name. The two-day tournament raised money for local homeless shelters, single-parent households and high school students.

“He just inspired a lot of people,” said Jennory Campbell, a friend of Dent’s and the foundation’s marketing director. “The legacy that he leaves is going to live with us all.”

Dent was a three-time all-conference selection while on West Bladen’s varsity basketball team, and he later led Sandhills Community College to a national championship. He was also named an Academic All-Star by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and was on track to graduate from UNC-Pembroke in December 2023.

To Maurice Powell, who started coaching Dent in 6th grade, Dent is best remembered for who he was off the court.

“Very humble, always took care of the next person, would do anything in the world for anybody. Just very charismatic and really loved people. Never seen him without a smile on his face. Always had fun, always wanted to keep people in good spirits,” Powell said.

Powell says Dent was like a son to him. To this day, anytime Powell is coaching, he’s carrying a towel with Dent’s picture on it.

Dent’s impact stretched beyond his basketball achievements, friends say. It’s why the tournament highlights three elements key of Dent’s life: academics, athletics and love.

“I wouldn’t be here today or be the man that I was if it wasn’t for Say,” Campbell said. “I knew if the roles were reversed, he would do the same thing for me. So I’m gonna be here until my last days.”

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