Unfortunately, sad news has surfaced in the game of basketball, as former New York Knicks draft prospect was found dead in Brooklyn on Tuesday (Nov. 10). The body of Michael Wright, a 6-foot-8 power forward who was drafted by the Knicks fourteen years ago, was found in the back of his parked Lexus SUV. The car was found in the streets of Midwood on Sunday (Nov. 8). Though the 35-year-old never made his way onto the Knicks roster, he played overseas to continue his hoop dreams.
As police continue investigating the situation throughout pending autopsy results, they’re ruling the death of Wright as a homicide. He was found covered in multiple black garbage bags with a fracture to his skull. Who killed Wright—who was described as a “gentle giant” by family members—remains up in the air as the possibility of a man he met on a gay dating app, Grindr, could be the reason behind the tragedy, police sources say.
“We don’t know anything about his personal life,” Wright’s cousin, Randolph Berry tells NY Daily News. “All we know is that he did damage overseas. When he played ball, he destroyed everyone in front of him.”
Deepest condolences out to the friends and family of Wright.