News

Ex-UCLA Basketball Star Billy Knight Found Dead At 39, Player Shared Goodbye Video Hours Before Death

Former UCLA basketball star Billy Knight was discovered dead along the side of a road in Phoenix on Sunday morning. He was 39.

Ex-UCLA Basketball Player Billy Knight Found Dead

Authorities found no evidence of foul play in Knight’s death.

Knight played for the Bruins from 1998-2002. The team reached the NCAA Tournament all four years he played there as a member of coach Steve Lavin‘s squad.

SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams! 

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

UCLA Basketball and others shared tributes to Knight on social media Tuesday and Wednesday after the former player’s death was announced.

Former Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watsonwho played alongside Knight at UCLA, paid tribute to him on Instagram with a short video of a memory the pair shared.

Knight is the second former Bruins basketball player to die in the last week. On Friday, Tyler Honeycutt — who also played for the Sacramento Kings — died at 27 following a standoff with police in Los Angeles during which he shot himself.

SLIDESHOW: Sports Figures Who Died In 2018

Although no official cause of death has been determined for Knight, one video hints at a possible suicide. Just one day before he was found dead, the former player recorded and shared a morbid, six-minute clip called “I am Sorry Lord” in which he heartbreakingly says he feels like he does not want to live anymore.

“I just feel like I don’t belong here on Earth,” Knight says in the video, visibly emotional. “So my time is up.”

Knight also stressed in the clip that people who feel or have ever felt like him should seek help. The former UCLA standout also played basketball in France and Japan.

 

Like
Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry
Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

50 Most-Infamous Athlete Mugshots: WWE Star Brock Lesnar Arrested On Suspicion Of Steroid Possession In ’01

In January 2001, former UFC and WWE star Brock Lesnar was arrested on suspicion of…

19 hours ago

U.S. Draws Paraguay, Australia and UEFA Playoff Winner In World Cup Group

The United States Men's National Team now knows its opponents for next summer's World Cup,…

19 hours ago

Despite Personal Streak Ending, LeBron James Makes Unselfish Pass To Set Up Game Winner

With the game tied and seconds winding down, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James' streak…

19 hours ago

50 Most-Infamous Athlete Mugshots: MLB Star Manny Ramirez Charged For Slapping His Wife In ’11

On September 12, 2011, former MLB superstar Manny Ramirez was arrested and charged with misdemeanor…

2 days ago

Jordan Walsh Stays Hot In Latest Celtics Win

Boston Celtics small forward Jordan Walsh struggled to make an impact in the opening weeks…

2 days ago

James Harden & Kawhi Leonard Left Stunned As Clippers Part Ways With Chris Paul

Both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard were left shocked after hearing the Los Angeles Clippers…

2 days ago