Former Rio Grande basketball standout dies at 24

The University of Rio Grande is saddened to announce the passing of former men's basketball standout Miki Tadic.

Tadic, 24, died last Sunday after a more than year-long battle with cancer.  

A native of Hilversum, The Netherlands, Tadic played four seasons with the RedStorm and was a three-time First Team All-River States Conference selection and was also named the league's Newcomer of the Year for the 2020-21 season.

A graduate of Wesley Christian (Ky.) High School and a transfer from NCAA Division II Young Harris (Ga.) College, Tadic appeared in 110 games in a Rio uniform – all starts – and finished with 1,605 points.

His 275 3-pointers rank second on Rio Grande all-time leaders list and his 96 trifectas during the 2021-22 season represent a single-season school record.

Tadic averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his RedStorm career and scored a career-best 33 points against Goshen (Ind.) College in his Rio debut on Nov. 14, 2020.

In his lone season at Young Harris, Tadic appeared in 18 games – five of which were starts – and averaged 4.9 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

"We are absolutely heartbroken to learn of Miki's passing. He was a leader for Rio Grande men's basketball both on and off the floor," said Rio Grande men's basketball head coach Ryan Arrowood. "To know Miki was to know he was a fighter and had an incredible passion for life. He meant so much to, not only our basketball family, but to the entire Rio Grande community. Miki was one of a kind in the best way possible and we are all better because of our time with him."