The basketball world is mourning Mike Sweetney, the Georgetown big man who went ninth overall to the Knicks in 2003. His wife, India Sweetney, announced his passing on social media, writing,“With the heaviest hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Michael.”He was 43. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Sweetney’s resume speaks for itself. In three seasons at Georgetown, he averaged 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds and earned All-Big East honors twice. He then played four NBA seasons with the Knicks and Bulls, averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds, before continuing his career overseas.
What made Sweetney special to so many was his second act. He became an assistant coach at Yeshiva University, where head coach Elliot Steinmetz called him a close friend and said,“The world lost a giant today.”Fans in New York and Chicago, and the players he mentored in college, are all sharing memories of a player and person who gave a lot back to the game. What’s your favorite Mike Sweetney memory?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.