Jerrod Mustaf, Former Knicks 1st Round Draft Pick, Dies on His 55th Birthday

Mar. 15, 2025

Jerrod Mustaf, #32 of the Phoenix Suns.

Jerrod Mustaf, a former New York Knicks first-round draft pick, has died.

The Baltimore Sunconfirmed that the former NBA player died on Monday, Oct. 28, his 55th birthday.

According to the outlet, a cause of death has not been announced.

Gary Williams, Mustaf’s coach for one season at the University of Maryland, remembered the athlete as “an important member of the Maryland basketball family” in a statement to theSun.

“Jerrod was a very talented big man who was very skilled in all phases of the game," he said.

Maryland Basketball also shared astatementfollowing the news of Mustaf’s death.

“With great sadness, we learned of the passing of Jerrod Mustaf today,” the program wrote. “Forever a Terp, a teammate and a friend.”

Jerrod Mustaf #32 of the New York Knicks in 1990.Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty

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Jerrod Mustaf 32 of the Phoenix Suns.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty

Hayes' family named Mustaf in a wrongful death lawsuit that was later settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, according toSI. Mustaf’s cousin Lavonnie Wooten was convicted of Hayes' murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison, according to both reports.

Mustaf reportedly toldSIthat he felt he was “blackballed” following the allegations and called his situation “totally unfair."

source: people.com