NBA Star Michael Sweetney Dead at 43

The New York Knicks' Michael Sweetney—who also played for the Chicago Bulls before leaving the NBA in the late aughts—died in Newark, N.J., according to ESPN. He was 43 years old.

ByMarissa DowSep 18, 2026 3:01 AMTags

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The NBA has lost a beloved alum.

Michael Sweetney—the Georgetown University student who went on to play four seasons in the NBA—has died at age 43, as first announced by his wife India Sweetney.

"With the heaviest hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Michael," India wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post Sept. 17. "To know Mike Sweetney was to [love] him. No one loved him more and he loved no one more than his family."

A cause of death has not yet been shared for the retired Knicks player, who was pronounced dead at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey on Sept. 16, per ESPN.

And the ultimate family man will be deeply missed, his wife said.

"His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible," her post, including a sweet picture of their family, continued. "He’s been my best friend for 30 years and my husband for almost 20. I’m not sure what we or I will do without him."

In addition to thanking their community for the "overwhelming" amount of support, the author wrote that Michael was "the best son, brother, family member, friend, father and husband ANYONE could ask for."

And the late athlete's legacy was only heightened by his basketball career, which went pro in 2003. After being drafted as the ninth overall pick by the New York team following his junior year, Michael made his name as a power forward and center there until 2005, later joining the Chicago Bulls until 2007. Both teams have released statements paying tribute to their former player following his tragic death.

After leaving the NBA, the Georgetown Hoyas basketball legend spoke about how difficult his rookie years were due to experiencing depression.

Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

"I went from being a star at Georgetown and having my father at every game, to losing him and not even playing in the NBA. I knew I wasn’t going to be given a chance as a rookie because my coach told me, 'Hey, I’m not going to play you,'" he told HoopsHype in 2017. "I was in New York, battling this while the media was writing articles about me, and I felt like I had nowhere to go. I just kept digging myself into a deeper hole of depression."

And it was Michael's family who helped him heal from the challenging period, with him eventually becoming an assistant coach at Yeshiva University.

"I knew I had to pull myself out of that and get myself together," he remarked. "It took some time, but my family and friends had my back and helped me get through those really tough times."

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