SUDDEN LOSS
Inside Purdue player Caleb Swanigan’s rise from homeless child to NBA star after tragic death aged 25
NBA star Caleb Swanigan, who tragically passed away at 25 on Monday, was a standout player in college and during his professional career.
Swanigan overcame multiple obstacles during his childhood that led him to the NBA before health complications led to his unexpected passing.
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Fans, former teammates, and colleagues expressed their sadness about Swanigan's death on social media.
reported that the Allen County Coroner's Office ruled that Swanigan died from natural causes.
The University of Purdue, where Swanigan played college basketball posted a to the former basketball player on Twitter.
Similarly, The Portland Trailblazers and Sacramento Kings, both posted tributes to Swanigan on the app.
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Newsweek reported that Swanigan spent his professional career playing for both NBA teams.
In 2017, he was drafted as the 26th overall player to the Portland Trailblazers, finishing the 2017 and 2020 seasons with them.
Swanigan was then traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with them.
Basketball analyst also shared some of his earliest memories about Swanigan on Twitter.
"Such sad news to wake up to today. Former Purdue star and NBA player Caleb Swanigan has passed away. Swanigan was 25 years old. I first met him on the AAU circuit; he was always such a nice, sweet kid. Had a tough road. Will be sorely missed," the post said.
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Swanigan overcame multiple obstacles to make his dreams of being a professional basketball player come true.
During his adolescence, he faced home insecurity, unhealthy relationships with food, and an absent father, who dealt with a crack-cocaine addiction.
His mother, Tanya, took care of six children, including Swanigan, to the best of her ability but struggled to provide a stable environment for her family.
"My mom always kept a roof over my head," he told
"I went to four different middle schools alone, and probably nine elementary schools," Swanigan told ESPN.
The family stayed in homeless shelters between Indianapolis and Utah. Without the finances to buy healthier food, Swanigan was often fed unhealthy options like fast-food and sugary breakfast cereals.
"You think it's something tiny, but it builds up," Swanigan told ESPN in 2017. "One meal won't kill you, but if it becomes three or four meals that are bad in a row, that's when it starts to hurt your body.
However, Swanigan worked to lose 100 pounds before starting high school.
ESPN reported that he was nicknamed "Biggie" by his aunt, who drew inspiration for the name from the Notorious B.I.G,
"She just started singing that 'Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?' song," Carl Swanigan Jr, Swanigan's brother, told ESPN.
During high school, "Biggie's" basketball talent improved drastically, earning him a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game in 2015.
Towards the end of his high school career, Swanigan intended to play college basketball at Michigan State before settling on the University of Purdue.
"I just felt like it was better basketball-wise for me," he told ESPN in 2017.
While in college, he continued to maintain a healthy relationship with food. He was a star on the basketball court, having a record of four 20-point, 20-rebound performances during his rookie season.
After his time in the NBA, Swanigan became to struggle with his weight again.
Critics ridiculed his appearance.
Newsweek reported that Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard used to stand up against Swanigan's bullies.
"You don't know WHAT it is he's going through to cause a drastic change," Lillard said in 2021. "If you gone be supportive, then do that but don't ask no s**h like that like it's not possible when you naturally a big dude and go down a dark road."
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Even though his life was cut short, Swanigan hoped that he was able to make his parents and basketball mentors proud.
"I've got a lot of people living through me," Swanigan told in 2015. "Hopefully, I can give them a reason to smile."
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