Former Trail Blazer Dead At Age 25

A former first-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, and the First-Team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year with Purdue in 2017, Caleb Swanigan has passed away at the age of 25.

💔 Devastated.

Our thoughts and prayers to Caleb Swanigan’s family and friends. The world lost a gentle soul last night.

Love you Biggie. pic.twitter.com/spU2hQtJdi

— Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 21, 2022

His sophomore season at Purdue was his big breakout, averaging 18.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

That earned Swanigan the 26th overall pick by Portland in the 2017 NBA Draft. He got into 27 games in his rookie year, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in just 7 minutes of action per game. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings in his 2nd season, before being dealt back to the Blazers in his 3rd year.

Swanigan opted out of the 2020 Bubble season, and had battled obesity during the pandemic.

No further details about his death are available at this time. 

Condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

Photo Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports