Covering the NBA has its ups and downs. Players are human, they have faults and sometimes they get in trouble. News broke late Friday evening that former Sacramento Kings draft pick, Tyler Honeycutt, was barricaded inside a Sherman Oaks residence.
After "acting erratically," Honeycutt's mother called the police. According to reports, Honeycutt exchanged gunfire with police officers. Unfortunately, Honeycutt's story ended in the early hours of Saturday morning with police finding him unresponsive inside the home. He was declared dead at the scene.
It will take time before all of the details are known, although the initial reports have Honeycutt dying of a self inflicted gunshot wound. He was 27 at the time of his death.
Taken with the 35th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the former UCLA star played a total of 24 games over two seasons with the Kings. He spent most of his time with the Reno Bighorns of the D-League.
During his time with the Kings, Honeycutt always had a smile on his face. He had incredible potential, but like many players coming out of the college ranks, he never found his niche in the NBA.
Honeycutt was dealt to the Houston Rockets with Francisco Garcia and Thomas Robinson for Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas and Patrick Patterson at the 2013 trade deadline. He never made an appearance in a Rockets uniform and spent the last few years playing hoops overseas.
NBA players turned to social media Saturday morning to express their sadness after hearing of Honeycutt's passing.
Sports
RIP to my bro @thoneycutt23! Damn this one hurts— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) July 7, 2018
Mannnnn R.I.P. T Honeycutt. I can't believe im hearing this...— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) July 7, 2018
hurt by the news, glad no one else was injured, but ultimately sad to say, rest in peace to my basketball brother tyler honeycutt... pic.twitter.com/5jmXT472gB— Solomon Hill (@solohill) July 7, 2018
Rest Easy Tyler Honeycutt.. prayers up for him and family.. devastating.. just saw him yesterday..— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) July 7, 2018
R.I.P. Tyler Honeycutt 🙏🏾💔— Terrence Ross (@TFlight31) July 7, 2018
