Sean Rooks, a former NBA center and assistant coach for the Philadelphia Sixers, passed away Tuesday at the age of 46.
The NBA family mourns the loss of Sean Rooks, an accomplished player, popular teammate and respected coach. pic.twitter.com/F9WHh6BTtT
— NBA (@NBA) June 8, 2016
A cause of death was not provided.
Rooks had interviewed with the New York Knicks earlier in the day for an assistant coaching position on Jeff Hornacek’s staff.
Per the Philly Inquirer:
A 6-foot-10 center out of Arizona, Rooks played 12 seasons in the NBA. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds during stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, and Orlando Magic.
Rooks was hired as the Sixers’ player development assistant/assistant coach before the start of the 2014-15 season. He was in charge of the post players. The team was not going to renew his contract for this season.
Before his Sixers job, Rooks had coaching stints with the Phoenix Suns and in the NBA Development League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, New Mexico Thunderbirds, and Bakersfield Jam.
