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Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier dead at 28
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-17 14:04
ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier died early Saturday after
he had trouble breathing and was stricken in his home, his father said. He was
28.
 General manager Billy Knight said the cause of death was not
immediately clear for the 7-foot, 260-pound player. He said Collier had "no
issues" in a preseason physical given to all players.
Jeff Collier told The Associated Press his son died in an ambulance on the
way to the hospital and did not have any diagnosed health problems apart from
his knees.
Team spokesman Arthur Triche initially said Collier possibly died of cardiac
arrest, but would not provide details. He later said the team was not sure how
Collier died. Collier's agent, Richard Howell, said an autopsy was being
performed.
"We'll wait until the experts can tell us, but there's no comments about any
speculating at all that I'm going to do," Knight said. "Right now we just think
about Jason and his family, his wife and a daughter. He was a good guy, a great
teammate and a member of our organization. We're going to miss him.
"The players took it hard, as you would expect," Knight told the AP. "We'll
try to deal with it and keep moving forward."
Forsyth County Coroner Lauren McDonald said the family had asked him not to
release any preliminary results Saturday. He said he would have a statement at
10 a.m. on Sunday.
The Hawks canceled an open scrimmage Saturday, but will play an exhibition
game on Monday night at Charlotte.
"We are saddened by the news of Jason Collier's sudden passing," NBA
commissioner David Stern said. "He epitomized hard work, dedication and
perseverance, and more importantly compassion, kindness and selflessness."
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