Former NBA player and coach Sean Rooks dies at 46

Sean Rooks, a center who played 12 seasons in the NBA and later worked as a coach inside the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers organizations, died Tuesday at the age of 46.

Rooks died suddenly and no cause was given, according to both a statement from the 76ers and Rooks' mother.

"It is with deep sadness and overwhelming grief that we mourn the sudden loss of my son," Rooks' mother Deborah said in a statement through the team.

However, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, Rooks collapsed and died in a Philadelphia restaurant hours after interviewing for an assistant coaching opening with the New York Knicks. He also reportedly had an offer to become the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets new D-League affiliate in Greensboro, N.C.

Rooks was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1992, and later played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, and Orlando Magic.