12 NBA Players who died during their Playing Career

Sadly, no one is exempt from death; not even our favorite stars. They're all just as human as the rest of us, despite their many seemingly impossible feats.

Former players pass away all the time, and as much as it's hard to take, we must admit that it's sort of expected. But when they leave us while still deeply embroiled in various disciplines, it's something totally different; and my does it sting.

Many athletes have shockingly kicked the bucket while still playing, and the NBA is certainly no exception. Here are 10 such players who may be gone, but will never be forgotten.

#12 Malik Sealy

Malik Sealy was a small forward who represented the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. Drafted by the Pacers as the 14th overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft, Sealy’s career only lasted eight years.

The player’s life was unfortunately cut short while he was driving home in his SUV after attending the birthday party of his teammate and best friend Kevin Garnett, who had just turned 24. His vehicle was struck by a drunk truck driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road. The truck driver survived the ordeal as his airbag deployed, but as fate would have it, Sealy’s SUV wasn’t equipped with such a device.

Sealy, who was 30 at the time of his death, had only played one season with the 15-time All-Star, but they shared a great relationship. Garnett got a tattoo of his former teammate’s name on his right arm following his death and chose his No.2 when he moved to the Brooklyn Nets in honor of his fallen friend.

The Timberwolves retired the number #2 after Sealy’s death.