Former NBA Player Mike Sweetney Passes Away at 43
Former NBA player Mike Sweetney has passed away at the age of 43. The former New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls player was also known for his support of Israel.
The sports world is in deep mourning following the passing of former NBA player Mike Sweetney, who died on Wednesday at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center at the age of 43, just weeks before his 44th birthday. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Sweetney, remembered as one of the heaviest players to play in the league, was selected 9th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks after a standout college career at Georgetown University. He played for the Knicks from 2003 to 2005 and spent two additional seasons with the Chicago Bulls.
During his NBA career, Sweetney appeared in 233 games, averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per contest. After retiring from professional play, he transitioned to coaching and served as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University in New York since 2019.
Beyond his athletic career, Sweetney was known as a great supporter of Israel. During the Iron Swords War, he visited the country to show solidarity, conducting special activities with autistic students and visiting hospital patients. Yeshiva University coach Elliot Steinmetz paid tribute to him on social media, emphasizing his deep bond with the Jewish community.
