What happened to Mike Sweetney? What we know about ex-NBA forward

Mike Sweetney, the 6-foot-8 forward who starred at Georgetown and was taken ninth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, died at the age of 43.

“With the heaviest hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Michael,” she wrote. “To know Mike Sweetney was love to him. No one loved him more and he loved no one more than his family. His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible. He’s been my best friend for 30 years and my husband for almost 20.”

What was the cause of death? None was listed. The New York Post reports that his wife had recently “set up a Go Fund Me that simply said, ‘God Bless and thank you,’ with a goal of $10,000.”

Sweetney played two seasons for the Knicks before he was dealt to the Chicago Bulls in the deal that got New York Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis. He played two more seasons for the Bulls. He later coached at Yeshiva University in Manhattan.

A Facebook post from Michael Sweetney’s wife about his passing.

Terrible news. Great guy and a big heart. pic.twitter.com/hJ3tsXKJ9Q

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 17, 2026

The basketball word mournin

This article originally appeared on For The Win: What happened to Mike Sweetney? What we know about ex-NBA forward