The Allen County coroner’s office confirmed to CNN that he died of natural causes.
“Caleb was a very thoughtful person and a gentle soul, who excelled both on and off the court. He made a huge difference in the lives of everyone he touched and will be greatly missed.”
Purdue’s statement said, “During his NBA career, Swanigan worked extensively with Portland-area youth and food corps to promote healthy eating habits in schools and eliminate children’s hunger. “
In his 2016–17 season, Swanigan scored 18.5 points per game, 12.5 total rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for Purdue, assisting in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball championship.
For his efforts, the forward won the Big Ten Player of the Year and was named a unanimous First Team All-American.
26 overall pick in 2017 by the Portland Trail Blazers, Swanigan made 75 appearances and four starts during his three seasons in the NBA. He also played for the Sacramento Kings.