Former Purdue, NBA Standout Caleb Swanigan Passes Away At Age 25
Jun 21, 2022, 10:33 AM
Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts in the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 18, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Purdue and NBA standout Caleb Swanigan has passed away at the age of 25, his alma mater announced on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday morning, Purdue basketball made the announcement that Caleb Swanigan passed away.
“Devastated,” Purdue tweeted. “Our thoughts and prayers to Caleb Swanigan’s family and friends. The world lost a gentle soul last night. Love you Biggie.”
💔 Devastated.
Our thoughts and prayers to Caleb Swanigan’s family and friends. The world lost a gentle soul last night.
Love you Biggie. pic.twitter.com/spU2hQtJdi
— Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 21, 2022
Swanigan was born on April 18, 1997 in Indianapolis, Indiana and passed away on June 20, 2022 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Growing up in an unstable home, Swanigan moved between Utah and Indianapolis during his youth, spending time in homeless shelters.
Despite all the struggles early in his life, Swanigan was able to get a scholarship to Purdue to play basketball, while receiving offers from Arizona, Kentucky, Cal and Duke as a McDonald’s All-American.
In two seasons with the Boilermakers, Swanigan averaged 14.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, while shooting 50% from the field in 69 games played and started. His freshman season, he averaged 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. During his sophomore campaign, Swanigan increased his scoring average to 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds.
Swanigan helped Purdue win the Big Ten regular season title and reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks. After a successful sophomore season, Swanigan declared for the 2017 NBA Draft. He was taken in the first round, 26th overall pick to the Portland Trail Blazers. Swanigan was the first Purdue basketball player to be drafted at a sophomore level or lower.
In Summer League play for the Trail Blazers, Swanigan averaged 16.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. He spent part of his rookie season with the Canton Charge in the G-League. On February 7, 2019, Swanigan was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Skal Labissiere and spent time with the Stockton Kings in the G-League.
On January 20, 2020, Swanigan was traded back to Portland with Trevor Ariza and Wenyen Gabriel in exchange for Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and two future second-round picks. When the NBA moved to the bubble in Orlando, Florida, Swanigan opted out due to personal reasons.
