Former NBA power forward Michael Sweetney, the guy who lit up the court for Georgetown before the New York Knicks grabbed him 9th overall in the 2003 NBA draft, has sadly passed away at 43. His wife shared the news Thursday, and it’s just a gut punch to hear about a player leaving us so young.
From the Big Apple to the Windy City
Sweetney’s NBA run started strong, getting picked 9th overall by the Knicks. He spent two seasons in New York, then got traded to the Chicago Bulls, playing two more years there. During his time in the league, he put up solid averages of 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. After four seasons, he took his talents overseas in 2009, continuing his pro career until 2017 when he finally hung up his sneakers.
Georgetown Legend with Unforgettable Stats
Before the pros, Sweetney was an absolute force at Georgetown. For three seasons, from 2000 to 2003, he was just dominant. He averaged a massive 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting an incredible 55.4 percent from the field. Seriously, his career scoring average there ranks second in Georgetown history, only behind some guy named Allen Iverson. His junior year was next level, dropping 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds, making him a Naismith College Player of the Year finalist and a John R. Wooden Award candidate. That’s serious hardware talk right there.
After his playing days, Sweetney stayed in the game, becoming an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Yeshiva University, a role he clearly loved. Head coach Elliot Steinmetz even released a statement about his passing. It’s a tough day for basketball fans, remembering a player who brought so much fire to every game. Rest in peace, Michael.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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