A Latin Kings gang members admitted in Long Island federal court Thursday to killing a star college basketball player in 2005.

Jaime Rivera, an admitted Latin Kings member, pleaded guilty to killing Tafare Berryman, who was fatally shot while trying to get away from a fight outside La Mansion club in Island Park. It happened on April 3, 2005.

The case went cold for 12 years, until the FBI got involved. Investigators linked Rivera to the killing after testimony from former gang members.

In court, Rivera admitted he gunned down Berryman to maintain his status with the Latin Kings.

Dawn Thompson broke down when she heard Rivera admit his guilt in killing her son, who was two weeks away from graduating college when he died.

Thompson says she hopes to make a victim impact statement when Rivera is sentenced Nov. 13. She thanked all of the investigators who worked on the case for not giving up on finding her son's killer.

Rivera faces a maximum of life in prison when he's sentenced.