I grew up in Detroit, so the Pistons was always my favorite team. Yes, I still remember 2006 when we won the championship! Now, I live in St. Petersburg and have become a fan of some Florida NBA teams. As far as players go, Lebron and Kobe are some of my favorites. Rest in peace to Kobe Bryant who died way too soon. I was just reading about other NBA players who died and saw that there were some who died tragically in Florida. Below you will find the list of 3 NBA players who died in Florida.
Has A Player Ever Died During An NBA Game?
According to reports, there has never been a player to die during an NBA game. There has been a player who died during an off-season practice however. In 1993 while playing for the Celtics against the Hornets, Reggie Lewis collapsed on the court. He was able to get up but was pulled from the game due to dizziness and shortness of breath. Later that summer he suffered a cardiac death on the court during an off-season practice. Reggie Lewis died at the age of 27 in Massachusetts.
Another NBA player by the name of Pete Maravich died during an off-season basketball game. Maravich who played for the Hawks and the Jazz retired in 1980. Sadly in 1988 while playing a game of pick up basketball, Maravich collapsed. Reports tell us he died of heart failure.
3 NBA Players Who Died In Florida
We only have one life to live and some of our lives get cut short unfortunately. The NBA players on this list all died young and tragically. If there is a player I am missing on this list, feel free to email me at Babs@wild941.com. Below you will find the 3 NBA players who died in Florida.
Adreian Payne
Adreian Payne played in the NBA from 2014-2018. He played for the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Orlando Magic. In 2022, he was shot and killed in Orlando. Reports tell us this happened when Payne and his girlfriend traveled to a mans home to prevent a domestic dispute. The man said he felt threatened by Payne and thought he was reaching for a gun. Police determined that Payne did not pose a threat and the man was arrested and charged with first degree murder.
Brandon Hunter
Brandon Hunter played in the NBA from 2003 to 2005. He played for the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic. In 2023 he died after collapsing while performing Hot Yoga at a studio in Orlando.
Dwayne Schintzius
Dwayne Schintzius was first drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 1990. While in the NBA he played for 6 different teams. In 2009 he was diagnosed with Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. In 2010 he was cancer free but continued to suffer from complications. In 2012 Schinzius died of respiratory failure. Reports tell us he died at the Moffitt cancer center in Tampa and was only 43 years old.
