Basketball star faces 25-year sentence over attempted murder of past opponent

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

A former high school basketball star is now facing a 25-year sentence after having shot down a former basketball opponent in cold blood.

In January of 2015, Dexter Hopkins came home from college and ran into a former basketball rival, Davontay Grace. Grace had played for Jefferson High School, while Hopkins played for Sheepshead Bay High School. The two had not been in contact before they ran into each other that day, and the meeting ended with Grace shooting Hopkins.

As Assistant District Attorney Charles Guria explained during his closing arguments, “(Hopkins) thought it was odd (Grace) was in the neighborhood and said, ‘What are you doing here?’ They talked about a girl and basketball, then he pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and shot him in the chest.”

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When Hopkins fell to the ground, Grace shot him five more times, while Hopkins lay still.

“He laid there, played dead and counted to 10,” said Guria.

As he lay on the ground, Hopkins was able to call 911 for help, and he survived the shooting, though he required several surgeries and still has a bullet in his knee.

Now, Grace is facing up to 25 years for attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

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