Last night we went to bed with very sad news.
Michael Sweetney, a former NBA player, has died at the age of 44, his wife confirmed on social media.
A Georgetown University product who played there for three seasons (2000-03), he was selected ninth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.
The center, who had just completed an outstanding NCAA career, never lived up to expectations and, as he later revealed, for years he battled mental health issues that prevented him from adjusting to the league.
The NBA mourns the passing of Michael Sweetney (1982-2026). The No. 9 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Michael played 4 NBA seasons with the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. We extend our deepest condolences to the Sweetney family. pic.twitter.com/eWWUHOsdt9
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) September 17, 2026
“Looking back, obviously with my mental health problems, fighting depression and anxiety, what I should have done was seek help, find someone to talk to. I thought I could fight it on my own and obviously I burned out,” Sweetney admitted.
“I went from a Top-10 Draft pick to being out of the league four years later. So it was one of those things that stung, but it was one of those things I should have talked to someone about and told them: Look, I’m not well. I need help,” he added.
He left the NBA in 2007 after wearing the Bulls jersey; subsequently he spent time in the G League, as well as leagues in China, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay until his final retirement in 2017.
In 2019, he reconnected with basketball by signing with Yeshiva University as an assistant coach.
“Today the world has lost a giant,” said Elliot Steinmetz, head coach of Yeshiva.
“I have lost a very close friend. Our Jewish community has lost a great ally and someone who knew how to be there when he was needed. Mike Sweetney was not just a friend, he was my family. When he needed it, he was always there. There was no need to ask,” he concluded.
