Taurian Fontenette Cause of Death: How did iconic basketballer die aged 43?
Fontenette was also known as Air Up There and Mr. 720 and became a global sensation
Taurian Fontenette , known to basketball fans as Air Up There and Mr. 720 , the streetball phenomenon whose extraordinary dunking ability made him one of the most recognizable figures of the AND1 era, has died at 43 after he helped redefine what was possible above the rim. Fontenette died Monday night, November 2, with his sister, Tracie Sonnier , announcing the news the following day. No cause of death had been publicly disclosed, leaving family, friends and basketball fans mourning the sudden loss.
Sonnier shared an emotional tribute on Facebook , describing her brother as a remarkable person whose personality and passion for basketball left a lasting impression on everyone around him. “My heart is broken in a million pieces,” Sonnier posted. “I honestly don’t even have the words to express the tremendous pain of losing my baby brother. This is a loss that I don’t think our family will ever fully understand or be able to put into words. Thank you all for giving us grace, and allowing our family to try and process this and gain some understanding about what has happened. You were a true gift, a one-of-a-kind soul, and someone whose presence could light up any room. "A basketball genius with a love and talent for the game that was unmatched, the life of every party, and a person with a heart so big that you never hesitated to go the extra mile for anyone who needed you. “You had a way of making people laugh, making memories, and leaving an impression that could never be forgotten. Your energy, your laughter, your generosity, and that beautiful spirit of yours will forever live in the hearts of everyone blessed enough to know you. "I wish I had more time. More conversations, more laughs, more memories, and just one more opportunity to tell you how much you mean to me.”
How Fontenette became Mr. 720: Taurian’s legacy after his death
Born in 1983, Fontenette grew up in Hitchcock, Texas , where he developed into an outstanding basketball prospect as despite standing approximately 6-foot-2, he regularly stood out against bigger opponents through his explosive leaping ability. He earned three consecutive all-state selections at Hitchcock High School between 1998 and 2000, averaging around 20 points and 12 rebounds during his final three varsity seasons. His performances earned him a scholarship to play for the UTEP Miners , although he later continued his career at junior colleges, including Richland and Paul Quinn . After stepping away from college basketball , Fontenette worked security at a chemical plant but his life changed when the AND1 Mixtape Tour arrived in Houston in 2005 and he successfully auditioned for a place on the roster. “I’m not really a streetball player,” Fontenette told the Houston Chronicle in 2006. “I’m more of a gym rat-type of player, but it’s been cool.” His defining moment arrived during the 2006 tour at the Houston Rockets ' Toyota Center , where he completed what is widely recognized as the first documented in-game 720-degree dunk, as spinning twice in mid-air before finishing at the basket, he produced a spectacular moment that earned him the Mr. 720 nickname. The dunk reached a worldwide audience after appearing on ESPN's SportsCenter , while his Axle-Rider, a 360-degree between-the-legs dunk, further established his reputation as an innovative performer. Fontenette later appeared on the Ball4Real and BallUp tours before attempting to enter organized professional basketball with the Dallas Generals in the ABA in 2009, but the team folded before the season began, but his influence on streetball and dunking culture remained.
