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Sixers Assistant Coach Sean Rooks, 46, Has Passed Away

Rooks, who had been on Brett Brown's staff the previous two seasons, passed away today in Philadelphia.

John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Some terribly unfortunate news has come across the Sixers community, as The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears reports that 76ers assistant coach Sean Rooks passed away today at just 46 years old.

Rooks spent 12 seasons in the NBA from 1992 to 2004, suiting up for the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic along the way before briefly playing overseas.

Beginning in 2007, Rooks spent several years as an assistant NBA D-League coach for the Bakersfield Jam, New Mexico Thundebirds and Sioux Falls Force until finally catching on in the NBA as a member of head coach Brett Brown's staff in Philadelphia over the last two seasons.

Thoughts are with Rooks' family at this time.

UPDATE: Sixers head coach Brett Brown, currently on a trip in Turkey to see Dario Saric, released a statement through the team on Rooks' passing:

I learned of this tragic news in the early morning hours last night. Sean Rooks was a wonderful person with a kind soul who deserved to live longer than he did. Sean was with me for two years and helped our young players and coaching staff by sharing his experiences in such an endearing way.

It was exciting for me to sit with him recently and see the enthusiasm he had while preparing to interview for the Head Coach position with an NBA D-League team. We would role-play, ask each other different questions, and when he left I felt like he had a real chance to make a significant advancement in his own coaching career.

When he was offered the position just a few days later, we spoke of the challenges, growth and responsibility that would help him personally move his career forward as a head coach. He was genuinely excited by this offer, as well as other job opportunities that were coming his way.

He meant so much to so many people. We are all deeply saddened by his loss and extend our condolences to his family during this time. He will be missed.

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