The Allen County coroner’s office confirmed to CNN that he had died of natural causes.
“Caleb was a very thoughtful individual and a gentle soul who excelled both on and off the court. He made a huge difference in everyone’s lives that he touched and he will be greatly missed.”
“During his NBA career, Swanigan worked extensively with Portland-area youth and Food Corps to promote healthy eating habits in schools and eliminate child hunger,” Purdue’s statement added.
In his sophomore 2016-17 season, Swanigan averaged 18.5 points per game, 12.5 total rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for Purdue, helping it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball championship.
For his efforts, the forward won Big Ten Player of the Year and was named a consensus First Team All-American.
Swanigan made 75 appearances and four starts during his three seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 26 overall pick in 2017. He also played for the Sacramento Kings.