Former Portland Trail Blazer Caleb Swanigan has died aged 25. This was announced by the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
Swanigan died under natural circumstances in the Fort Wayne Hospital near Indiana on the night of Monday, June 20, 2022. The family of the deceased confirmed the information.
The former first-round pick was drafted in 26th position by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017. He played in the NBA for three years, two seasons for Portland and one for the Sacramento Kings. The power forward then rejoined the Blazers just before the bubble tournament in Orlando. However, he decided not to participate in the tournament and subsequently ended his NBA career.
The 2.05-meter man came in his total of 75 games to 2.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
The Blazers organization said she was “heartbroken” and “her thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
After his time in the NBA, a photo of Swanigan showing him in poor shape and severely overweight went viral. Blazers star Damian Lillard defended his former teammate at the time: “You don’t know WHAT he has to go through to change so drastically.” Lillard further emphasized that one should support someone who walks a “dark path”.
