Recent Sixers Assistant Coach Sean Rooks Passes Away at Age 46
Hours after taking a coaching interview with the New York Knicks, recent Sixers assistant coach Sean Rooks collapsed and passed away at a Philadelphia restaurant, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Rooks played 12 years in the NBA before joining the Sixers as a coach in 2014, where he focused on player development and did extra work with big men Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid. Rook’s mother, Deborah Brown, said in a statement:
It is with deep sadness and overwhelming grief that we mourn the sudden loss of my son, Sean. Our family asks that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this incredibly difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Rooks family. Gonna miss you bro 😔 #RIP https://t.co/5K3iimIsoJ
— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) June 8, 2016
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sean Rooks. Our thoughts are with the entire Rooks family.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 8, 2016
Sean Rooks always had my back, an inspiration, & dear friend to my husband as well. We just saw him-taking this hard. Praying for his family
— Molly Sullivan (@MollyESullivan) June 7, 2016
Rooks was 46 years old.