​A former Plymouth Raiders basketball player who was fatally shot during a game in New York has been described by the club’s chairman as “hugely charismatic and well-loved.” Kinu Rochford, 35, was shot on Friday at the Kingdome Basketball Tournament in the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers on Lenox Avenue, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
Ross Mackenzie, the Raiders’ chairman, said he was devastated by Rochford’s death, praising him as someone who “exuded natural warmth” while also being “the fiercest of players.” “Every time he’d run onto the court, the reception he received from our fans was bigger than perhaps any other player,” Mackenzie said. “It’s a tragedy that someone so close to us has experienced this.” He spoke to the BBC about his personal devastation and the close bond he had formed with Rochford.
Mackenzie noted that Rochford had “left his mark” during his 2018 season in Plymouth, recalling him as a larger-than-life figure who could light up a room. “Running around in his dungarees, high-fiving everybody—this 6ft 6in guy—he didn’t deserve what happened to him, and that’s heartbreaking for us all here.” He added that the two had maintained regular contact, sharing a strong personal connection.
Rochford’s impact extended beyond the court. Mackenzie described him as someone who “lit the place up” and was fantastic to watch, emphasizing that he was a prominent figure in the New York streetball community even after his retirement. The Raiders’ chairman suggested that the team would likely honor Rochford at the start of the season in September, noting that many fans would remember him from his time with the club.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed heartbreak for Rochford’s family and urged an end to “this senseless violence.” The NYPD confirmed that Rochford sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was transported in critical condition to Mount Sinai Morningside hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The department also reported injuries to a 28-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman in connection with the incident. There have been no arrests at this time, though investigations continue.
Rochford, who had played professionally since 2013, competed for teams in France, Kosovo, Israel, the Netherlands, and Switzerland after his high school years. Although he had since retired, he remained a high-profile figure within the New York streetball scene, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both Plymouth and the broader basketball community.