Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sean Rooks passed away Tuesday night, the team has confirmed. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the former journeyman NBA center collapsed and died in a Philadelphia restaurant. He was 46 years old.
76ers assistant coach Sean Rooks dies at 46
Rooks was in the midst of a promising coaching career after playing 12 seasons as an NBA journeyman center.
John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
In a statement released through 76ers public relations, Rooks’ mother Deborah Brown requested privacy.
“It is with deep sadness and overwhelming grief that we mourn the sudden loss of my son, Sean,” Brown said. “Our family asks that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this incredibly difficult time.”
Rooks passed away a few hours after interviewing with the New York Knicks for an assistant coaching position. According to Wojnarowski, Rooks and Knicks officials were "enthusiastic" about the meeting.
Rooks played 12 seasons for seven different teams from 1992 to 2004. His best season was arguably his first, when he averaged a career best 13.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a starter for the Dallas Mavericks. He also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic.
Rooks entered the NBA after being drafted 30th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft. He starred in four seasons with the Arizona Wildcats, earning All-Pac-10 honors after averaging 16.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a senior.
Former Arizona head coach Lute Olson released a statement through the university mourning Rooks’ passing.
Statement from former UA basketball coach Lute Olson on the passing of Sean Rooks: pic.twitter.com/SmH2cMe7ml
— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) June 8, 2016
Rooks was in the midst of a promising coaching career. After five seasons in the NBA Development League, he landed a player development role with the 76ers in 2014. His son, Kameron, is a sophomore center playing for Cal. His daughter, Khayla, is considered a Division I prospect as a high school junior, according to the Arizona Republic.
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