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Former NBA player and outstanding Purdue player Caleb Swenigan has died at the age of 25, his family announced on Tuesday through Boilermakers.
Swanigan died Monday of natural causes at a hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, according to the Allen County Coroner’s Office (through the Associated Press). Swanigan came of age at Fort Wayne, where with the help of his adoptive father he lost more than 100 pounds and emerged as the best talent 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 considerate man and a gentle soul, distinguished both on and off the court. He has made a huge difference in the lives of everyone he has touched and will miss. ”
After leading his high school team to his first state title and being named Mr. Indiana Basketball in 2015, Swenigan initially committed to Michigan before changing his mind and heading to Purdue. His adoptive father, Roosevelt Barnes, was a three-star with Boilermakers, who played in the NFL as a midfielder and later became a sports agent.
Since 2017: A sports agent has accepted a 360-pound teenager. He became Caleb Swanigan.
As a sophomore at Purdue, Swanigan won numerous honors, including the 2017 Big Ten Player of the Year award and all American quotes for the first team. He set a conference record with 28 double-doubles and led the Boilermakers to Sweet 16 in the NCAA.
Terribly saddened by this. Biggie had a positive impact on everyone’s life. He was such an attentive man and a gentle soul that he had to overcome so much in his life.
He will be very much missed. https://t.co/Ivm5MiaCUm
– Purdue’s Matt Painter (@CoachPainter) June 21, 2022
Swanigan was then selected 26th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, who later handed out 6-foot 9 and 260-pound striker to the Sacramento Kings in mid-season swap in 2019. He was reinstated in the Trail Blazers the following year. and his NBA career actually ended when he refused to rejoin Portland on a delayed league bubble near Orlando in 2020. Swanigan averaged 2.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 75 games in three NBA seasons.
Saying they were “heartbroken” by Swanigan’s death, the Trail Blazers said Tuesday: “Our thoughts and prayers are with family, Caleb’s friends and everyone who loved him.”
They added, “Rest in peace, Biggie,” using a nickname dating back to Swanigan’s childhood. He experienced homelessness, which made it difficult to follow a healthy diet, developed sweets and saw his weight reach 360 pounds before starting eighth grade.
Barnes said in 2017 that after adopting Swanigan, he began to change the child’s eating habits by removing sugar, salt and bread from their home.
“There were times when he cheated, but the thing is, you have to have more days to win than to lose,” said Barnes, who praised Swanigan’s focus and determination. “You had to learn to eat things that are green.”
The result was the transformation of a young man into a weak, athletic star into a major university program and ultimately a member of the best professional basketball league.
After Swanigan left the NBA, he pleaded guilty to drug possession charges in 2021. After a photo circulated at the time showing Swanigan had regained his weight, Trail Blazers star Damien Lillard said in an online comment : “You don’t. I don’t know WHAT he’s going through to make a drastic change.
Lillard added then that people need to show support for someone who is a “naturally big dude” and has taken the “dark path”.
On Tuesday, another former teammate, Sacramento striker Harrison Barnes, tweeted RIP Biggie.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Caleb Swenigan,” the Kings said. “He will be remembered as a great teammate and friend. Our hearts are with his family during this incredibly difficult time. “
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