Daljang Wol, known as DJ

A SHRINE of flowers, candles and photographs is building under a basketball hoop to remember two young players who died in a car crash.

Daljang Wol, 22, and Anthony Hibbert, 24, both from Camden, were among four ­univer­sity students killed in the collision in Colchester last week.

On Sunday evening, friends and family ­gathered under the bridge in Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, where they had played basketball together as teenagers.

Daljang’s brother Wol Manuer told the New Journal: “It was just amazing to have him in my life. Me and him could just talk about anything. We did everything together, we went to school together, we laughed and cried together, even little silly things like talking about the girls we liked. It was just enjoyable being with him.”

He added: “I could never put it into words how much I experienced with him. Even if it was just me and him walking to the chicken shop together and sitting down having food with all of our friends, little things like that meant the most to me and I’ll miss them so much. It was bigger than him just being a basketball player and clearly by the turnout as the memorial a couple of days ago shows, that hundreds of people came out to show their love for him.”

Mr Wol was known as DJ, while Mr Hibbert was known as TJ. They played for The Essex Rebels team while at university.

Mr Wol’s brother added: “We both started playing basketball tog­ether when I was 11 and he was nine, he was the smaller and skinnier one but he always tried to play with older players from such a young age so we could get better and get tougher.

“He was such a good kid, such a respectful kid, he didn’t annoy any of the coaches. Any drill they asked him to do, no matter how much they wanted him to run – he did it. He put his head down and he did it and that’s why he was just amazing in his whole career.”

But he added: “I want people to know he was more than a basketball player, he was an incredible human being.”

Mr Wol was one of four young people who died in Colchester

In a video posted on Facebook, Mr Hibbert’s sister, speaking at the memorial on behalf of their family, said: “TJ was quite a bit younger than me and I didn’t want a little brother, I liked being the baby and then when he was born and I held him for the first time it completely changed me. TJ was like that for everyone.

“Once you met him you wanted him to stay around, you wanted him to be around. I feel like the world has really lost something.”

People have stopped playing basketball at the Hawley Road hoop since news of the death of Mr Wol and Mr Hibbert, while the tributes mount up underneath.

Mr Wol attended St Aloysius Primary School in Somers Town and later Westminster City School in Victoria.

He played for the Under-16 team at Camden Knights Basketball club in 2016, now known as the London Knights.

Max Gvozdenovic, London Knights’ sports manager, said: “Daljang was a nice kid, very polite, hard working, with a lovely smile and had great potential to become a high-class player. I was privileged to coach him in his junior days and was delighted to learn that he was part of the great Essex University basketball programme. It’s a big loss to the ­London Basketball community.”

Tricia Richards, CEO of Castlehaven Community Association, said: “Our thoughts are especially with their families, and with the friends and fellow basketball players who shared countless moments with them at the Castlehaven Hoop.

“TJ and Daljang were both talented athletes, dedicated to the game, and regular players at our basketball hoop on Hawley Road. Their passion for the sport and their vibrant presence left an indelible mark on all who knew them.

“Along with two other young students from the University of Essex, their lives were taken far too soon. It is a devastating loss for our community.

“If we can help family members or friends of TJ and Daljang then please do not hesitate to contact us on info@castlehaven.org.uk or 020 7485 3386.”

The car crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning on February 1 at about 4.40.

Makyle Bayley, 22, and Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, were also in the car and died at the scene, Essex Police said.

An inquest into the deaths of the students was opened on February 6 at Essex Coroner’s Court and has been adjourned until July 18 while the investigation into what happened continues.