Los Angeles Lakers Sean Rooks(R) holds teammate Derek Harper(L) during first half action in game one of the NBA Western Conference semifinals series against the San Antonio Spurs at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX 17 May. The Spurs defeated the Lakers 87-81 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO PAUL BUCK / AFP PHOTO / PAUL BUCK
NEW YORK, United States — Former NBA center Sean Rooks died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 46, his family said.
“It is with deep sadness and overwhelming grief that we mourn the sudden loss of my son, Sean,” said Deborah Brown, Rook’s mother, in a statement released by the Philadelphia 76ers.
“Our family asks that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this incredibly difficult time.”
The cause of Rooks’s death was not immediately known.
Rooks played at the University of Arizona from 1988-92 and was taken in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
He played for the Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, the Atlanta Hawks, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, the New Orleans Hornets and the Orlando Magic in an NBA career that lasted through 2004.
He had worked as an assistant coach for the 76ers the past two seasons.