What a sad way to go.... ------------------------ http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2000/0520/541964.html MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Sealy died Saturday when his sport utility vehicle was hit head-on by a pickup truck traveling the wrong way on a divided highway, sources have told ESPN. Sealy, 30, was killed at about 4 a.m. in a crash with a pickup on Minnesota Highway 100 just south of Minnesota 7 in St. Louis Park, a Minneapolis suburb. An unidentified, 43-year-old man Minneapolis man -- who was traveling north in the southbound lane -- drove his Dodge pickup head-on into a Range Rover owned by Sealy, the State Patrol said. The patrol has not officially confirmed that Sealy is the victim in the crash. The pickup driver was taken to Hennepin Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition Saturday with head and chest injuries. Timberwolves president Rob Moor and team owner Glen Taylor are scheduled to address the media at 6 p.m. ET. The Hennepin medical examiner's office told ESPN that an official announcement is expected later Saturday. Sealy was coming home from a birthday party for teammate Kevin Garnett. The accident occurred in a construction zone where southbound Highway 100 has been narrowed to one lane. A moment of silence was observed Saturday afternoon at the opener of the Western Conference finals between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Lakers in Los Angeles. "Malik Sealy was a stellar contributor to the NBA, his team and his community," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "This is a tragic day for the NBA family and we extend our sympathy and prayers to his family." Timberwolves players were arriving at Sealy's home Saturday morning, and several media organizations were camped out in front of his home. Donnie Walsh, president of the Indiana Pacers, the team that drafted Sealy, said "the entire Pacers family is deeply saddened at the recent passing of Malik Sealy. He was a tremendous performer and a true gentleman." Sealy is the second NBA player killed in a traffic accident this year. Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills died after a crash on Jan. 12, when he and teammate David Wesley were racing their Porsches at more than 100 mph after a morning practice. Sealy was involved in a car accident on his way to practice during his first season with the Timberwolves and needed 20 stitches to close a cut on his forehead. Malik Sealy had a breakthrough season in 1999-2000, posting his best shooting percentage and hitting several buzzer-beating shots to win games. Sealy had just finished his eighth NBA season and his second with the Timberwolves. He averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds during the regular season and 12.5 points during the playoffs. Minnesota was eliminated in four games in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. He played in every regular season and playoff game. His season was notable for the way he improved his shooting percentage, making more than 50 percent of his shots over the first half of the season -- a rarity for an NBA guard -- before finishing at 47.6 percent. He had never shot better than 43.5 percent over his first seven seasons. Sealy, who also played in the NBA for Indiana, the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit, grew up in New York and starred collegiately at St. John's, where he was the school's second-leading career scorer behind Chris Mullin when he left following his senior season in 1992. Sealy was St. John's all-time steals leader and became the Pacers' first-round pick (14th overall) in the 1992 NBA Draft. Garnett said Sealy was one of his favorite players while Sealy was at St. John's and Garnett was an eighth-grader in Mauldin, S.C. "I wasn't the most confident guy at that time, and I was trying to find someone who was another me. Not the best player, but someone who played like me," Garnett said in January 1999. "With Malik, I just related to his body. He was quick, long arms, he was dark-skinned, he mad-dunked." Garnett even asked for Sealy's jersey No. 21 when he made the eighth grade team. As a high school senior, Sealy led Tolentine to a No. 1 national ranking and the New York state championship. Sealy's father, Sidney, was a bodyguard for slain civil rights leader Malcolm X. He named his son Malik after one of Malcolm X's Muslim names. Sealy was also an actor and sold a line of ties and clothing through Malik Sealy XXI Inc. While playing with the Clippers, Sealy appeared on TV shows such as "The Sentinel" and "Diagnosis: Murder" and in the film "Eddie." Sealy leaves behind a wife and child. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ------------------ visit my website @ http://home.icq.com/bayoucitybob/ 1999-2000 Sportscaster of the Year @ KTXT-FM, Lubbock
