Placeholder while loading article actions
Former NBA player and Purdue standout Caleb Swanigan has died at the age of 25, his family announced Tuesday through the Boilermakers.
Swanigan died Monday of natural causes at a hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, according to the Allen County Forensic Bureau (via the Associated Press). Swanigan came of age to adulthood in Fort Wayne, where, with the help of his adoptive father, he lost over £ 100 and became one of the best talents in high school.
“The Purdue basketball family is deeply saddened and devastated by the loss of Caleb Swanigan,” Boilermakers coach Matt Painter said in a statement. “Caleb was a very thoughtful person and a kind soul who stood out both on and off the court. He made a big difference in the lives of everyone he touched and will miss him so much.”
After leading his high school team to his first state title and being named Mr. Indiana basketball In 2015, Swanigan initially committed to the state of Michigan before changing his mind and heading to Purdue. His adoptive father, Roosevelt Barnes, was a three-star sportsman with the Boilermakers who played in the NFL as a linebacker and later became a sports agent.
Since 2017: A sports agent took in a 360-pound teenager. He became Caleb Swanigan.
As a sophomore at Purdue, Swanigan earned numerous accolades, including the 2017 Big Ten Player of the Year Award and all-American first-team citations. He set a conference record with 28 doubles-doubles and led the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
Terribly sad about it. Biggie had a positive influence on everyone’s life. He was such a thoughtful and kind-hearted person that he had to overcome so much in his life.
You will miss him a lot. https://t.co/Ivm5MiaCUm
– Matt Painter of Purdue (@CoachPainter) June 21, 2022
Swanigan was selected 26th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, who then handed out the 6-foot 9 and 260-pound forward to the Sacramento Kings in a mid-season change in 2019. He was traded to the Trail Blazers on the following year, and his NBA career effectively ended when he chose not to rejoin Portland in the bubble delayed by the league pandemic near Orlando in 2020. Swanigan averaged 2.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 75 games in three NBA games. stations.
Saying they had a “broken heart” over Swanigan’s death, the Trail Blazers said on Tuesday, “Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and all who loved Caleb.”
They added, “Rest in peace, Biggie,” with a nickname that goes back to Swanigan’s childhood. He experimented homeless, making it difficult to adhere to a healthy diet, developed a sweet tooth, and saw his weight reach 360 pounds before beginning eighth grade.
Barnes said in 2017 that after adopting Swanigan, he began reshaping the child’s eating habits by removing sugar, salt and bread from his home.
“There were times when you cheated, but the thing is, you have to have more days when you win than when you lose,” said Barnes, who praised Swanigan’s approach and determination. “… I had to learn to eat green things.”
The result was the transformation of a young man into a lean, athletic star of a major college program and, ultimately, a member of the most important professional basketball league.
After Swanigan left the NBA, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug offense in 2021. After a photo went viral at the time it appeared to show that Swanigan had regained weight. Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard said in an online comment, “No. I don’t know what’s going on to bring about drastic change.”
Lillard then added that people should show support for someone who was “naturally a big guy” and had gone “down a dark path.”
On Tuesday, another former teammate, Sacramento striker Harrison Barnes, tweeted, “RIP Biggie.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Caleb Swanigan’s death,” the Kings said. “He will be remembered as a great companion and friend. Our hearts are with his family during this incredibly difficult time. “
Subscribe to our weekly NBA newsletter for the best basketball coverage in your inbox