Sean Rooks was on his way up.

On Tuesday, the former NBA player met with newly hired Knicks Coach Jeff Hornacek, team president Phil Jackson and General Manager Steve Mills. According to the New York Post, the player development coach for the 76ers was “a likely candidate” for an assistant coaching position in New York.

Just hours after the meeting, Rooks collapsed and died at a Philadelphia restaurant. He was 46.

“Words simply cannot express the heartbreak and shock our entire organization is feeling over this loss,” read a statement released from Philadelphia co-managing owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. “Sean will long be remembered not for his accomplishments on the court – of which there were many – but for his vibrant personality, positive outlook and the genuine care he had for everyone in his life.”

After Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated broke the news, friends from across the NBA mourned the 12-year league veteran on social media. Spears wrote on Twitter that Rooks was “on the verge of being hired” to coach Charlotte’s Developmental League team. The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote the Hornets had offered Rooks that job.

Rooks averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds during an NBA career that included stints with Dallas, Minnesota, Atlanta, both franchises in Los Angeles, New Orleans and Orlando. He was selected by the Mavericks in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft.

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