Former Memphis Grizzlies executive John Hollinger has posted a heartfelt tribute to former team draft pick Janis Timma on social media after the Latvian basketball star died on Monday night.
Timma was found dead following a reported fall from a Russian apartment building, with his passing being initially ruled a suicide.
The 32-year-old was found in the stairwell of a high-rise residential building, local reports have claimed.
Timma never played in an NBA game, but did appear for the Orlando Magic in the 2021 Summer League.
Hollinger overlapped with Timma during his seven years as the Grizzlies’ Vice President of Basketball Operations, leaving Memphis’ front office in 2019.
‘Just heard about Janis Timma. Damn. We drafted him 60th in 2013 and I got to spend some time with him in Latvia while we had his rights. Never made it to NBA but had a great career in Europe. Talked with him at Summer League two years ago and seemed like he was doing well. RIP my friend,’ Hollinger said on social media.
Former Grizzlies executive John Hollinger posted a tribute to team draft pick Janis Timma
Hollinger overlapped with Timma during his time as the Grizzlies’ VP of Basketball Operations
Timma was found dead following a reported fall from a Russian apartment building on Monday
After news of his death circulated, fellow Latvian and current Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis paid tribute to his fellow countryman.
‘Oh nooo, please tell me it’s not true,’ he wrote on X following the initial reports. Porzingis later added: ‘Human connection is the cornerstone of our mental health. Please, let’s look after one another. Rest in peace, JT.’
The 6-foot-7 Timma played professional basketball primarily in his native Latvia, but spent time with European powerhouses Olympiacos and Zenit St. Petersburg as well.
Timma’s untimely death came on the birthday of his ex-wife, Ukrainian singer and actor Anna Sedokova. It has been reported that a phone with a message from Sedokova was found next to Timma when his body was discovered on Monday.
Timma and Sedokova, married in 2020, had filed for divorce earlier this year. A devastated Sedokova posted an emotional message on Instagram on Tuesday morning.