Top 5 NBA players who died too young
Throughout the history of the NBA, the league has endured some pretty tragic losses. On the heels of the third anniversary of Kobe Bryant's loss, we're taking a look back at five NBA players who died far too young.
#5 - Len Bias
Len Bias will forever remain one of the greatest 'what ifs' in NBA history. During his time at the University of Maryland, he proved himself to be one of the best collegiate players in the nation. Throughout his four years in college, Bias repeatedly stepped up his game, going from a 7.1 ppg scorer as a freshman to a 23.2 ppg powerhouse his senior year.
As a first-team All-American, two-time ACC Athlete of the Year, and ACC tournament MVP, it wasn't surprising when Bias went second in the 1986 draft. After being drafted by the Boston Celtics, he and his dad flew to Massachusetts to meet with Reebok, where the two sides reached a five-year, $1.6 million deal.
The following night, Bias died as the result of cocaine-induced cardiac arrhythmia.
#4 - Malik Sealy
After finishing his college career as the second all-time leading scorer for St. John's, Malik Sealy was drafted 14th overall by the Indiana Pacers. The former two-time first-team All-Big East forward and second-team All-American spent two years with the Pacers.
There he infamously lost the team's playbook he was supposed to study as a rookie, which resulted in it winding up in the hands of radio personality Don Imus. Eight seasons into his NBA career, Sealy was killed by a drunk driver while he was leaving his teammate and best friend Kevin Garnett's 21st birthday party.
#3 - Bobby Phills
Louisiana guard Bobby Phills played four years with Baton Rouge's Southern University, leading the NCAA in three-point field goals his senior year. After being drafted as the 45th overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, Phills earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 1996.
That same season, Michael Jordan dubbed him the toughest defender he had ever faced. Tragically, while playing for the Hornets in 2000, Phills lost control of his Porsche while driving 100mph and was killed when his car spun into oncoming traffic.
#2 - Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis' college team was ranked as the first in the nation after going undefeated his junior and senior seasons. Lewis was the first-round pick the year after the Celtics drafted Len Bias in 1986, and spent six seasons with the Celtics. After struggling his rookie season, Lewis emerged as a dominant scorer.
From his sophomore season on, Lewis never averaged less than 17.0 points per game. He averaged 20.8 in both of his final two seasons with the team. Unfortunately, Lewis went into cardiac arrest at just 27 years old in 1993 during an off-season practice.
#1 - Drazen Petrovic
To date, Drazen Petrovic remains one of the greatest players in the history of the EuroLeague. In addition, Petrovic is widely considered to be one of the greatest European players to ever grace an NBA court. After winning numerous EuroLeague awards, including two championships, Petrovic was drafted 60th overall in the 1986 draft.
After playing two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, he came into his own as a member of the New Jersey Nets. In the 1992-93 season, he averaged 22.3 points per game on 51.8% from the field. After competing for the Croatian national team in Poland, Petrovic decided to skip the team's flight back home, opting to drive.
While sleeping in the passenger seat, a car accident caused by poor road conditions saw him ejected from the car and killed at just 28 years old.