Buford High student Adam Smith remembered as 'an awesome young man'

A Gwinnett County community is remembering a teenager who died just days after collapsing during a practice with his basketball team.

Those who knew Adam Smith, a junior at Buford High School, told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh he was everyone's friend and always reached out to those in need.

It is still unclear what caused the 16-year-old to collapse while running last Thursday.

He passed away at a hospital Sunday night with his family by his side. Friends said his love of life will live on through others.

Family told Kavanaugh Smith was an organ donor, and they made certain to honor his wishes.

"He was an awesome young man. He had such a heart for everybody," said fellow student Caroline Davis.

"He was always trying to help everybody out, didn't matter who it was. He was just always nice," Caleb Moore said.

Friends told Kavanaugh Smith's sudden death has left a void at Buford High School. They said his one-of-a kind smile will be irreplaceable.

Smith was taking part in preseason basketball conditioning last Thursday, running laps around the school. He approached a coach at the start of his second lap.

"He walked up and said, 'You know, I'm not feeling good.' ...And at that point in time, he collapsed," Principal Banks Bitterman said.

Bitterman said they still don't know what caused the healthy and active teenager to collapse. But, he said, Adam was having trouble breathing. He died in the hospital Sunday night.

"The biggest question is why? Why did this happen? What happened? What are this reasons for this to happen? And, that's been one of their biggest struggles," Bitterman said.

But Bitterman said the entire community is comforted knowing his love for others will carry on.

"His organs have gone to 15 different families, or 15 different people to help them out," Bitterman said.

Many didn't know Smith recently made the decision to become an organ donor. But no one is surprised.

"Not only did he impact people through the things he did and his kindness, but his passing is going to help a lot of people as well," Moore said.

Kavanaugh also spoke to the pastor at Smith's church. The pastor and fellow students said his faith is helping them cope with the loss.