Michael Sweetney, the former New York Knicks first-round pick who came out of Georgetown and spent his first two NBA seasons at Madison Square Garden, has died. He was 43.
His wife, India, announced the death Thursday in a Facebook post. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Sweetney died Wednesday at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, according to The Associated Press.
The Knicks took the 6-foot-8 forward with the ninth overall selection in the 2003 NBA draft. That class also included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Sweetney played two seasons in New York from 2003 to 2005 and appeared in 119 regular-season games for the Knicks.
He played 42 games as a rookie. In 2004-05, his second year, he appeared in 77 games and started 28.
That second season was his strongest stretch in a Knicks uniform. He averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 19.6 minutes a night.
Over his full New York tenure, Sweetney averaged 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds.
The Knicks traded him in October 2005 in a deal that brought Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis to New York. New York also sent Tim Thomas, Jermaine Jackson and four draft picks to Chicago in the exchange.
Sweetney played two more NBA seasons with the Bulls. He finished his league career with 233 games, including 73 starts, and averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.5 minutes.
The Knicks released a statement Thursday.
“The Knicks are saddened to hear about the passing of Michael Sweetney. Michael was an incredible person who will be missed by many. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Sweetney returned to Madison Square Garden on Jan. 17 for the team’s alumni homecoming game and was greeted with applause.
Before the NBA, he was one of Georgetown’s most productive big men of the early 2000s. He played 96 games over three seasons and averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 29.0 minutes.
He was a two-time All-Big East selection. As a sophomore in 2001-02, he led the nation in field-goal percentage at .567 and averaged about 19 points and 10 rebounds.
In 2002-03, his final college season, Sweetney averaged 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. He ranks ninth in Georgetown history with 1,750 points, fifth with 887 rebounds and among the program’s career leaders with 180 blocked shots.
After his last NBA season in 2006-07, Sweetney’s final appearance on an NBA roster came during Boston Celtics training camp in 2011. The Celtics waived him on Dec. 22, 2011.
He then played four seasons overseas.
He later stayed in the New York area as a coach, working as an assistant at Yeshiva University and as a high school head coach in New York and New Jersey.
The Chicago Bulls also issued a statement.
“Our Bulls family extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Bull Michael Sweetney, who has passed away at 43.”
