NBA: Preseason-Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics
Oct 14, 2009; Hartford, CT, USA; Boston Celtics forward Michael Sweetney (45) shoots the ball over Toronto Raptors center Patrick O'Bryant (13) during the fourth quarter at the XL Center. The Celtics defeated the Raptors 106-90. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Center Michael Sweetney, who played four seasons in the NBA for the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 43.
Sweetney’s wife India announced the news on in a Facebook post. His cause of death was not reported.
“Our Bulls family extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Bull Michael Sweetney, who has passed away at 43,” the Bulls wrote on Twitter/X on Thursday, Sept. 17
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The ninth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Sweetney played 233 games from 2003-07. He was part of a trade that also sent Jermaine Jackson, Tim Thomas and four draft picks from the Knicks to the Bulls for Eddy Curry, Antonio Davis, and a pick in October 2005.
Basketball: Big 3
Jul 2, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; 3’s Company player Michael Sweetney (34) shoots the ball against Ghost Ballers player Mike Bibby (10) at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
“The Knicks are saddened to hear about the passing of Michael Sweetney,” the team wrote on Twitter/X. “Michael was an incredible person who will be missed by many. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Sweetney averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.5 minutes, starting 73 games over the four seasons.
In college, he played 96 games in three seasons at Georgetown, averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 29.0 minutes. Sweetney was a two-time All-Big East selection, and led the nation in field goal percentage (.567) as a sophomore.
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Sweetney appeared at the Knicks’ alumni homecoming game on Jan. 17 at Madison Square Garden and was greeted with applause.
Michael Sweetney was in the Garden for Knicks homecoming in January. RIP pic.twitter.com/oKigmVZxYv
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 17, 2026
Prior to that, Sweetney last appeared on an NBA court in training camp with the Boston Celtics in 2011. He was cut on Dec. 22, 2011, and ultimately played his final four seasons overseas.
Sweetney later worked as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University, and as a head coach in high schools in New York and New Jersey.