Former NBA forward Michael Sweetney dies at 43, Knicks and Bulls mourn loss

Former Georgetown standout and NBA first-round draft pick Michael Sweetney died this week at age 43. He passed away on Wednesday in New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; no cause of death was provided. Sweetney played for the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, and later served as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University.

Former Georgetown standout and NBA first-round draft pick Michael Sweetney died this week at age 43. He passed away on Wednesday in New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. No cause of death was provided. A 6-foot-8 power forward, Sweetney played two seasons each with the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. The Knicks drafted him ninth overall in 2003 after he averaged 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks for the Hoyas as a junior. Sweetney averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 233 NBA games. After continuing his pro career in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela, he served as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University in New York City from 2019 to 2023. Both the Knicks and Bulls posted tributes on X, and Yeshiva head coach Elliot Steinmetz posted a personal tribute calling Sweetney family.