Newton teen dies weeks after collapsing during basketball game

NEWTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts teenager has died after going into cardiac arrest and collapsing while playing in a high school basketball game in early February, his family said Monday.

Preston Settles, 15, of Newton, who collapsed while playing for the private Brooks School in North Andover on Feb. 5, died Sunday evening at Boston Children’s Hospital, the family said in a statement.

“Our wonderful, previously healthy, handsome, and perpetually happy son Preston Blair Settles has transitioned to his next journey,” the statement said.

Survivors include his father, Darryl Settles, a businessperson; his mother, Lisa Owens, a physician; and a sibling.

The family thanked the staff at Tufts Medical Center and Children’s, as well as all the relatives and friends who have offered them support.

“Lastly, we want to thank our dear sweet Preston for being an amazing son and incredible human being during his short 15 years on this earth. Hats off to you buddy for living it large and maximizing your time. Those that know you well, know that you were awesome, smart, hard worker, adventurous, funny, always positive, a true friend, and a loving brother,” the family said.

John Packard, the Head of School at Brooks sent a letter to the school community on Monday, asking people to keep the Settles family in their prayers.

“In his far too short time at Brooks, Preston cast a long shadow. His ebullience, infectious spirit, and numerous talents earned him many friends and connections on our campus. In and out of the classroom, on football fields, basketball courts, his dormitory, and everywhere in between, he was a wonderful student, teammate, and friend,” said Packard. “He made every group and community he was a part of more fun and joyful in his own intangible and inimitable way. The outpouring of support for Preston during these three weeks has underlined the extent to which he reached people in ways that mattered to them; in ways that were important to them; in ways that will hold over time.”

There will be a celebration of Preston’s life on Friday, March 4, at Trinity Church located at 206 Clarendon Street in Boston. Visitation will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The service will begin at 1 p.m.

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