Authorities say American basketball player Chauncey Hardy has died after being attacked in a bar in Romania.

Carmen Tocala, chief of the Romanian Basketball Federation, told GSP radio that Hardy died Sunday evening after suffering two heart attacks _ a day after he was beaten up Saturday night.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a fine young man who had his life cut short at such a young age while he was overseas doing something he loved," said C. Donald Cook, athletic director at Hardy's former college Sacred Heart.

Police spokeswoman Mirela Gheta said the 23-year-old Hardy had sustained severe head injuries and was in a coma when he was admitted to the hospital.

Hardy died shortly after undergoing surgery in a Bucharest hospital.

Hardy, who played for CSS Giurgiu in southern Romania, was celebrating victory over rivals Dinamo Bucharest in Giurgiu when several men were reported to have attacked him.

"This is a terrible tragedy and we are saddened as a University and a basketball program," Sacred Heart men's basketball coach Dave Bike said in a statement. "This is not just about a basketball player, but the person as well. It transcends what happens on a basketball court. We feel tremendous sadness and loss for Chauncey's family and those who were close to him."

Hardy averaged 12.5 points for Sacred Heart in 2009-10.