Georgia family mourns beloved 11‑year‑old who died after collapsing while playing basketball

Dekalb County, Ga. — A Georgia family is mourning the sudden death of 11‑year‑old Emmanuela Datsa, who collapsed while playing basketball on Sept. 9.

Emmanuela Datsa, Georgia 11‑year‑old, died while playing basketball

Datsa, a sixth-grader at Peachtree Middle School in Dunwoody, was feeling “funny” before she collapsed at basketball practice, but hadn’t complained of any pain, her father, Selom Datsa, told WAGA.

Selom added that his daughter had no known underlying health conditions. He also said the practice wasn’t especially intense, and that detail raised even more questions about Emmanuela’s sudden death.

“All they were trying to do is shoot the three point shot,” he told WAGA.

Emanuela was taken to a nearby hospital after she collapsed. She died shortly after, according to her obituary. An autopsy was performed, but proved inconclusive. Her family is hoping that additional testing will give them the answers they need.

An earlier report by Rough Draft Atlanta said Emmanuela possibly had an asthma attack, though not confirmed by family.

Family remembers beloved Emanuela Datsa

Selom remembered his beloved daughter’s passion for basketball, dancing and music, and said he misses her “loving” personality.

Emanuela had two older sisters and a younger brother, 9. One of her sisters, Mirabel Datsa, is raising money to cover funeral expenses through a verified GoFundMe.

Her sister wrote on GoFundMe that the loss happened “so suddenly” and that the family is struggling to understand how an ordinary evening turned into tragedy. The post said the child had been active and smiling earlier that day.

Fundraiser Helps Cover Funeral Costs

The GoFundMe campaign is helping cover funeral expenses and ease the family’s financial burden. Mirabel said she launched the fundraiser “to help with her funeral and to give my family some support as we try to start life over after losing her.”

As of this report, the fundraiser has raised more than $29,000.