Former Sixers assistant Sean Rooks dies suddenly at age 46

Losing basketball games, which the 76ers have done plentifully over the past three seasons, has paled in comparison with the losses the organization has suffered away from the court. Sadly, another heartbreak was felt Tuesday.

Sean Rooks, an assistant on Brett Brown's staff for the past two seasons, specializing in the development of big men, died Tuesday in Philadelphia at 46. His death comes only a couple of weeks after the team had informed him his contract wasn't going to be renewed. According to sources, Rooks died of a massive heart attack while dining in the city.

"It is with deep sadness and overwhelming grief that we mourn the sudden loss of my son, Sean," Rooks' mother, Deborah Brown, said in a statement. "Our family asks that our privacy be respected, as we grieve during this incredibly difficult time."

Over the past 21 months, former players Caldwell Jones, Darryl Dawkins and Moses Malone died. In November 2013, beloved equipment manager Jeff Millman died, and super statman Harvey Pollack in June succumbed to injuries suffered in a car crash the prior New Year's Day.

"I remember our first road trip this season, I went to the front desk at the hotel to pick up some notes that I had printed out for the game, and here comes Sean, all drenched in sweat after a workout," said Alaa Abdelnaby, the team's color analyst for Comcast SportsNet. "I teased him, saying that I had to be like him and get myself back in the gym."

Late Wednesday morning, the Sixers issued a statement from head coach Brett Brown, who was in Istanbul, Turkey (presumably for discussions with Dario Saric).

"Sean Rooks was a wonderful person with a kind soul who deserved to live longer than he did," Brown said in the statement. "Sean was with me for two years and helped our young players and coaching staff by sharing his experiences in such an endearing way.

"It was exciting for me to sit with him recently and see the enthusiasm he had while preparing to interview for the head coach position with an NBA D-League team. We would role-play, ask each other different questions, and when he left I felt like he had a real chance to make a significant advancement in his own coaching career.

"When he was offered the position just a few days later, we spoke of the challenges, growth and responsibility that would help him personally move his career forward as a head coach. He was genuinely excited by this offer, as well as other job opportunities that were coming his way.

"He meant so much to so many people. We are all deeply saddened by his loss and extend our condolences to his family during this time. He will be missed."

Abdelnaby and Rooks faced each other many times in college when Abdelnaby was at Duke and Rooks at Arizona. Both went on to successful NBA careers.

"I've known Sean for a long time, because we played them every year I was in college, either at our place, their place or in the Meadowlands," Abdelnaby said. "I talked to him so much this past year about what a handful he was to play against. He was tough, strong, a real presence out on the floor that you had to contend with. You couldn't turn your back on him, because he'd hurt you. And then to catch up with him during the years and he was such a good person. He was menacing on the court, but off the court, he was a gentle, sweet, caring, attentive person. Very considerate. Very sincere. This past year, all the losing and all the stuff that could bring people down, and did, you spent a couple of minutes with him and you would feel better. He would make you smile. He was a positive guy who gave off positive energy."

A 6-10 center, Rooks played 12 seasons in the NBA after being taken in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks in 1992. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds during stops with Dallas, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Lakers, Clippers, New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic.

Before joining the Sixers, Rooks coached in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns and had spent time in the NBA Development League as an assistant. A report by The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski said Rooks' death Tuesday came only hours after he had interviewed for a job on the staff of Jeff Hornacek with the Knicks.

He also was offered the head-coaching job of the Hornets' D-League affiliate.

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