A beloved member of the basketball community, Adrian Mercado, passed away on Saturday Sept. 9 at the young age of 39. Mercado was a long-time skills trainer, coach and mentor for high school girls basketball players.
According to his obituary, visitation will take place September 28 at 1 pm from Golden Gate Funeral Home on Thornton Freeway in Dallas. His celebration of life will be September 29 at 11 am from Rocky Spring Missionary Baptist Church on East Shady Grove Road in Grand Prairie.
Per Go Fund Me- Adrian Mercado AKA Coach A passed away Saturday morning 9/9/2023. Coach A was a long-standing, integral part of our community. He was a tremendous teacher, mentor, friend, and father. We know Adrian has touched the lives of so many students, parents, our hearts and souls are very heavy with this loss.He was always quick to lend a helping hand, was behind all our student-athletes pushing them to live the best versions of themselves on and off the court. We are eternally grateful to have been able to experience this lifetime with him.
People can continue to donate to his Go Fund Me which will help toward and funeral and his family.
As of Friday Sept 15 (2 pm) more than $9,500 was raised with a goal set at $8,000.
Shortly after his passing, the Twitter world paid tribute to the man that meant so much in the DFW community. Lexi Gordon, one of the top DFW players of all time during her career at LD Bell, was among the many players that trained with Mercado. Gordon went on to play in college at UConn, Texas Tech and Duke.
“10 years ago we started working, my first trainer. just 2 people figuring it out together. you had the upmost confidence in us, in me. Can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done, all you did. This really will never feel real that you’re gone. You did your part, i love you,” Gordon said.
Kelly Carruthers was a long-time high school girls basketball coach, most notably with Arlington Bowie. She also helps coach Team USA. “Tell people you love them when you have the chance. 2nd former student to pass away in the past two months. Love you Na Na! Sending prayers up for your son.”
