Michael Sweetney, the former New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls forward who arrived in the NBA as Georgetown’s ninth overall pick in 2003, died Wednesday at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He was 43.
Key takeaways
- Sweetney appeared in 233 NBA games across four seasons and made 73 starts.
- He spent two seasons with the Knicks before joining the Bulls for the final two years of his league career.
- His NBA career averages were 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 15.5 minutes per game.
- At Georgetown, he finished among the program’s top 10 in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.
- After his playing days, Sweetney served as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University in New York.
A Georgetown force who reached the lottery
New York selected Sweetney with the No. 9 pick in the 2003 draft after a dominant run with the Hoyas. The physical interior forward played for the Knicks from 2003 through 2005, then wore a Bulls uniform from 2005 through 2007.
His college production made him one of the most accomplished frontcourt players of his Georgetown era. Sweetney averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds in 2001-02, then lifted those numbers to 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds in 2002-03.
He remains fifth on Georgetown’s all-time rebounding list with 887 boards. His 180 blocks rank seventh in school history, while his 1,750 points sit ninth.
Remembered beyond the box score
The Knicks, Bulls and Georgetown each publicly recognized Sweetney following news of his death.
Sweetney later brought his experience to Yeshiva University’s Division III program as an assistant coach. Yeshiva coach Elliot Steinmetz remembered him as a close friend and family figure, saying Sweetney’s loss was felt in basketball and throughout the Jewish community. Steinmetz said Sweetney consistently showed up for people in need, often before anyone had to ask him.
