Published: 19:27 BST, 17 September 2026 | Updated: 19:39 BST, 17 September 2026
Michael 'Mike' Sweetney, the former Georgetown basketball star who went on to play four [NBA](/sport/nba/index.html) seasons, has died at age 43, his wife has revealed on social media.
No cause of death has been given for Sweetney, who last played professionally in 2017 and had been an assistant coach at New York's Yeshiva University since 2019.
'With the heaviest hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Michael,' Sweetney's widow India wrote on [Facebook](/sciencetech/facebook/index.html). '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. I'm not sure what we or I will do without him.
'He was the best son, brother, family member, friend, father and husband ANYONE could ask for. We appreciate every call and text of love and support. We just asked that right now You give us all a little time before you start to reach out because it's been pretty overwhelming. Thank you and God bless.'
Elliot Steinmetz, the head coach at Yeshiva, reacted to Sweetney's passing with a touching statement on social media.
Sweetney's widow India revealed his passing on Facebook with a photo of their family
Elliot Steinmetz, the head coach at Yeshiva University, is seen with Mike Sweetney, who served as an assistant coach at the school since 2019. Sweetney's playing career ended in 2017
Mike Sweetney, the former Georgetown star who went on to play four NBA seasons, has died
Mike Sweetney is pictured in 2017 during his brief stint with the BIG3 3-on-3 league
'The world lost a giant today,' Steinmetz wrote of the 6ft 8in retired power forward. 'I lost a close friend. The basketball world lost a beloved star. Our Jewish community lost an ally and someone who knew exactly how to show up.
'Mike Sweetney wasn't just a friend. He was family. When you needed him, he was there. Always. You didn't even have to ask.'
Steinmetz, who was in Israel during the October 7th, 2023 terrorist attack said the first message he received was 'Mike checking if I was ok.'
'He knew I was in Israel,' Steinmetz wrote.
'A couple of years later, when Iran attacked Israel with ballistic missiles, the first message I got was from Mike. He knew my son, Noah was there and wanted to make sure he was ok.
'When we would run a charity event for troubled teens, Mike would show up.
'He was there for our student-athletes at Yeshiva University day in and day out, regardless of his other responsibilities and jobs. His dedication to mental health awareness and his willingness to share his story for the benefit of others was the work of a selfless human being with a huge heart.
'Mike - we love you and we will miss you. Thanks for everything.'
Steinmetz instructed anyone who wished to assist the family to reach out to him directly.