Former NBA player Sean Rooks dies hours after interviewing for Knicks assistant job

This is just heartbreaking. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, former NBA center and current Sixers assistant Sean Rooks passed away Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, mere hours after meeting with Knicks officials about a possible job on Jeff Hornacek's staff. Per Woj:

Rooks, 46, had traveled to New York and back on the train Tuesday, meeting with Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, general manager Steve Mills and president Phil Jackson about becoming an assistant coach. Rooks and Knicks officials had departed the meeting enthusiastic that Rooks might join Hornacek's staff and that an agreement could be reached soon, league sources said.

Rooks returned to Philly by train and was eating dinner at a restaurant when he collapsed. He had spent the past two years as a player-development coach for the Sixers, and had an offer on the table to coach Charlotte's new D-League franchise.

Rooks never played for the Knicks during his 12-year pro career, but played under Kurt Rambis with the Lakers. He must have made an impression on someone in the organization. His reputation within the NBA community was impeccable, and he had worked hard to climb his way up the coaching ranks.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.