The first years of Caleb Swanigan’s life had everything to mark the path of someone who had gained (a lot) height and a tendency to gain weight from his father. He walked in hostels, tried to dodge the drug addiction that he always had around him, at one point he seemed lost. When he met Roosevelt Barnes, a former football player who believed in him and embraced him, he found the focus to have a direction, a direction so auspicious that it led him to be chosen in the first round of the recruit 2017 NBA Championship at 26th place. Get on the elevator of the main competition and the G-League until 2020, when refused for personal reasons to enter the bubble created in the pandemic where the Portland Trail Blazers were.
The NBA family is deeply saddened by the passing of Caleb Swanigan, who played three seasons in the NBA after a decorated career at Purdue. We send our deepest condolences to Caleb’s family, friends and former teammates. pic.twitter.com/8DGrg3ePW7
— NBA (@NBA) June 21, 2022
Since then, without later returning to competition, Swanigan has made headlines twice. In the first, on Christmas Eve 2020, when he was arrested for drug possession. Then, when he appeared in court with a considerable weight gain of more than 64 kilos, going from 118 to 182. Seven months after that image came the news that today nobody wants to believe in the NBA: polo died in a hospital from Indiana. , of natural causes last Monday night. He was only 25 years old.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Caleb Swanigan. The world lost a good soul last night.” later announced Purdue University, confirming the death of the player who left for the NBA from colleague of Indiana “We are heartbroken by the death of our former player Caleb Swanigan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and all those who loved Caleb. Rest in peace Biggie,” the Portland Trail Blazers wrote.
We are heartbroken by the passing of former Trail Blazers player Caleb Swanigan. Our thoughts and prayers are with Caleb’s family, friends and everyone who loved him.
Rest in peace, Biggie. pic.twitter.com/QxiGMZi5cg
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 21, 2022
Born in Indiana, Swanigan, also known as the “son of crack” because of his father’s addictive past, walked from shelter to shelter between Utah and Indianapolis during his youth, losing his father when he was 17. Before that, and before extreme episodes that made him go through five institutions and 13 different schools only until he was 13 years old, his older brother tried to find a solution for Caleb and managed to get Roosevelt Barnes out, who as an athlete was linked to American football. through Purdue University but later became a sports agent, keep your guard.
???? devastated.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Caleb Swanigan. The world lost a gentle soul last night.
I love you Biggie. pic.twitter.com/spU2hQtJdi
— Purdue Men’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 21, 2022
More than basketball potential for his height, Swanigan was learning other eating habits that gave him another ability to control his weight. With that and with the permission of a cardiologist who approved of his condition, he had lost a lot of weight by the time he finished high school, walking about 250 pounds (previously he weighed more than 300). Choosing where to pursue his studies, he had offers from Arizona, Kentucky, Cal and Duke, even verbally committing to Michigan State but ended up choosing Purdue, focusing on his important In education. When he came to the NBA, he had been the best rebounder in the Varsity League.
“You don’t know WHY he’s going through to cause drastic change. If you went to support him then go for it, but don’t ask anything like that, like it’s not possible when you’re naturally a big guy and fall into the dark.” road.”
– Damian Lillard talks about Caleb Swanigan. ???? pic.twitter.com/H9eINP2GSZ
— Clutch Points (@ClutchPointsApp) May 19, 2021
“Having been elected in recruit of the NBA is a dream come true. I have been thinking about this moment for a long time. I know that this is only the first step in my career as a professional, but I am very excited to start this journey.” However, things ended up not going for the best, with very modest averages fewer than three points and three rebounds per game off seasons with the Canton Charge secondary teams, Texas Legends and Stockton Kings, when he had been traded to the Sacramento Kings. He would then return to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2020, ending the course after refusing to enter the NBA bubble in Orlando. He died at the age of 25.
Source: Observadora
