The Allen County coroner’s office confirmed to CNN that he had died of natural causes.
“Caleb was a very thoughtful person and gentle soul who excelled both on and off the court. He made a huge difference in the lives of everyone he touched and he will be sorely missed.”
“During his NBA career, Swanigan worked extensively with Portland-area youth and the Food Corps to promote healthy eating habits in schools and eliminate childhood hunger,” Purdue’s statement added.
In his second 2016-17 season, Swanigan averaged 18.5 points per game, 12.5 total rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for Purdue, helping it reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball championship.
For his efforts, the forward won the Big Ten Player of the Year award and was named a consensus First Team All-American.
Swanigan made 75 appearances and four starts during his three NBA seasons after being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 26th overall pick in 2017. He also played for the Sacramento Kings.
