Former University of Rio Grande basketball standout passes after battle with cancer

RIO GRANDE, Ohio (WOWK) — A former men’s basketball standout with the University of Rio Grande passed away Sunday after a more than year-long battle with cancer.

A release from Rio Grande’s Sports Information Director, Randy Payton, said 24-year-old Miki Tadic was a native of Hilversum in the Netherlands who played four seasons with the RedStorm, appearing in uniform in 110 games and finishing with 1,605 points.

“We are absolutely heartbroken to learn of Miki’s passing. He was a leader for Rio Grande men’s basketball both on and off the floor,” said Rio Grande men’s basketball head coach Ryan Arrowood. “To know Miki was to know he was a fighter and had an incredible passion for life. He meant so much to, not only our basketball family, but to the entire Rio Grande community. Miki was one of a kind in the best way possible and we are all better because of our time with him.” 

A graduate of Wesley Christian High School in Kentucky and a transfer from Young Harris College in Georgia, Tadic managed to become a three-time First Team All-River States Conference selection and was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year for the 2020-21 season.

His 275 three-pointers rank second on Rio Grande all-time leaders list and his 96 trifectas during the 2021-22 season represent a single-season school record.