LOCAL basketball fraternity is in deep shock following the passing away of former national team player Léonce Mugenga aka Rome on Sunday night at King Faisal Hospital. He died aged 29.According to chairman of the basketball federation, Désiré Mugwiza, Mugenga’s death is a big loss not only to the national team but also the local sport in general.The former national player also played for different local teams including; Generation 2000, National University of Rwanda (NUR), APR and Espoir. He retired in 2010. He was a member of the national team of 2006. "It is so sad that we have lost a good man at such a young age, who loved people and game. His contribution to the development of the game in the country will never be forgotten. It is really bad new for the entire basketball family, he will be dearly missed,” Mugwiza told this paper.Rome, as the deceased was commonly known in the local basketball circles and among his close friends, studied at Ste Famille primary school; attended APECOPE Muhima for his secondary education and later Kigali Institute of Education (KIE).He is the third sportsman the country has lost this year following the death of another young basketball player, 17-year old Jonathan Rutare, who passed away in Tampa Bay Christian School, Florida in United State and Amavubi defender Patrick Mafisango who died in a horrific car crash in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.