Basketball star Janis Timma dead after falling from Moscow apartment complex

European basketball star Janis Timma has been found dead after falling from an apartment complex in Moscow, according to reports.

Timma, 32, was discovered in the stairway of a high-rise building and the the cause of his death has been ruled as suicide, The Sun have reported.

The Latvian, who mainly played across Europe – featuring for the likes of Zenit Saint Petersburg and Olympiacos – declared for the NBA draft in 2013 and was selected with the last pick by the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies traded Timma’s draft rights to the Orlando Magic in 2015 – and in 2021 – he was a part of the Magic’s Summer League team in Las Vegas, scoring 11 points on his debut.

Timma’s death came on the birthday of his ex-wife, Ukrainian singer and actor Anna Sedokova.

Local reports claim a phone with a message from Sedokova was found next to Timma when his body was discovered.

Timma and Sedokova – who got married in 2020 – filed for divorce earlier this year.

Timma, who mainly featured as a small forward, played 35 international matches for Latvia, scoring 338 points for his country.

He was part of the Latvian team that clinched a bronze medal at the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2010.

Timma faced a backlash a few years back when he announced his intention to play professionally in Russia amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine, a decision which marked the end of his international career.

‘How useless you 99 per cent of my dear followers are,’ Timma wrote on Instagram after he was criticised for competing in a tournament organised by Russian bookmarker Liga Stavok. 

‘Leave my family alone at least. It’s my decision, and I don’t see anything wrong with it. I play basketball and live my life.’

Boston Celtics and Latvia star Kristaps Porzingis has paid tribute to Timma and posted on X: ‘Human connection is the cornerstone of our mental health. Please, let’s look after one another. Rest in peace, JT.’

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