The world of college basketball is in mourning following the shock death of Mike Babul from a heart attack at the age of 47.
Babul is a legend of Massachusetts basketball following his time as a player, and he went on to become a coach in the Brooklyn Nets organization.
At the time of his death on Monday, he was head coach at the Thayer Academy, and had also recently taken charge of the South Shore Monarchs in The Basketball League.
Tributes immediately poured in on social media, with UMass Men’s Basketball posting: ‘Babel was a true Massachusetts basketball legend on the court, serving as a positive force in his community and on many sidelines as a coach.’
Local reporter Kevin McNamara added: ‘Just horrific news of the sudden passing of Attleboro’s Mike Babul.
‘A legendary local hoopster and star at UMass, but I knew Mike as a sweet person who loved to coach & the game. And he loved fun. What a loss at just 47.’
Mike Babul (third right) sits on the bench during his time as assistant coach with Wagner
Babul (left), alongside his brother Jon, owned a coaching company called Hoop Work
Babul hangs off the rim during his playing days with UMass back in January 2000
Babul defends Richard Hamilton of the UConn Huskies during a game in December 1998
Babul celebrates a July 4th fishing trip with his family, sharing the photos on his Instagram
Babul lived in Plymouth with his fiancee Maria Rocci and his stepsons, Andrew and Thomas
The Sun Chronicle first reported Babul’s cause of death, sharing news of a heart attack on Monday.
Babul also owned a coaching company alongside his brother Jon called ‘Hoop Work’, which focuses on helping New England athletes develop their basketball skills.
Alongside the coaching clinic, he held various positions on the sideline throughout the last few years, including an assistant role in the Brooklyn Nets’ G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
For two seasons, he was assistant coach to Shaun Fein, before leaving the role in 2020.
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