The Conejero Basketball Club is experiencing very difficult moments for the entire entity, after learning the tragic news of the death of Howie Roka, a player who went through all the categories of the club until making his debut with the EBA team, in the national category.
Howie Ismael Roka Bopatopé, born on August 7, 1997, would be 24 years old in a few weeks. He started in the schools of CEIP Nieves Toledo in the 2006/2007 season, and since then his life has been linked to the orange shirt. His sister Aisha and his sister Eli also passed through the Valterra club, as does his nephew Rubén Mencey today. A family committed to basketball and the values of the club, such as character, passion and personality, qualities that Howie possessed, and all the people who lived with him are aware of this, both on and off the court.
Overcoming all the formative stages, and reaching his sporting maturity, Howie achieved the classification together with his teammates of the 98 generation for the Canary Islands Junior Men's Championship in the 2014/15 season, and a season later, he became part of the squad that would achieve promotion to the EBA League in Gran Canaria.
Last season he debuted in the EBA League team with Iván Fernández and Gustavo Zamora, thus passing through all levels of the club. His coach, and also president of the entity, deeply regrets what happened. "He leaves us who for us was like one more of the family, his loss represents a hard blow for all of us who were lucky enough to know him," says Iván Fernández.
In addition, the president of the club asserts that the young player exemplified each and every one of the values that represent the entity, as well as sacrifice, effort and knowing how to overcome the adversities of life. "Howie was a clear bulwark that with work, humility and perseverance, everything can be achieved."
The club appreciates the expressions of affection it has received since the news was released and wants to send Howie Roka's family, especially his mother and his four sisters, condolences and all the strength to get through this bitter and unexpected moment.