Former New York Knicks lottery pick Michael Sweetney has died at the age of 43.
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Sweetney's wife, India, announced his death Thursday in a Facebook post. No cause of death has been revealed.
"His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible," she wrote, via the New York Post.
The Washington, D.C., native became a college basketball star at Georgetown, averaging 18.2 points across three seasons. He earned All-American honors as a junior after averaging nearly 23 points before entering the 2003 NBA Draft.
The Knicks selected Sweetney with the No. 9 overall pick in the celebrated draft class featuring LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Sweetney spent two seasons in New York and averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds during his second year. The Knicks then traded him to the Chicago Bulls as part of the deal that brought Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis to New York.
After two seasons in Chicago, Sweetney continued his playing career overseas before retiring in 2017.
Sweetney later became an advocate for mental health awareness, speaking openly about his experiences with depression, anxiety and the death of his father. He also joined the coaching staff at Yeshiva University in 2019.
"The world lost a giant today. I lost a close friend," Yeshiva coach Elliot Steinmetz wrote. "The basketball world lost a beloved star."
Sweetney had recently reconnected with the Knicks, attending three games during their championship season.
"I didn't have the career I could have had," he told the Post in June. "But for them to have me back and welcome me with open arms."
Sweetney is survived by his wife and their children.
