Former UCLA star and acclaimed basketball trainer Billy Knight was found dead early Sunday in Phoenix shortly after he shared a heartbreaking Youtubevideo detailing his longtime struggle with depression and poor choices.
The 39-year-old was found by fire officials along a Phoenix roadway at approximately 2:45am, local police confirmed in a statement.
While the official cause of death has yet to be determined by a medical examiner, the sports trainer, dubbed The Shot Master 3 on his Facebook page, spoke in the tearful video about ending his own life that morning.
Knight said in the video titled ‘Billy Knight “I am Sorry Lord”‘: ‘I just feel like I didn’t belong here on Earth… so my time is up.’
Former UCLA player Billy Knight shared a heartbreaking final video to YouTube Sunday, shortly before he was found dead
The trainer, dubbed The Shot Master 3 on his Facebook page, spoke in the tearful video about ending his own life. The official cause of death has not been released
The athletic trainer opened up about having regrets and living what he described to be ‘life of sin’ that involved lying, cheating and stealing, even to the ones he loved most.
‘I wasn’t honest with a lot of people… even my mom, my brother and my family members. I isolated myself from my family members, I isolated myself from my friends. That’s not something you should do,’ he said.
‘I was a taker… and that’s why my life ended up where it is now. Life is not a game. You can’t play around with life. It’s serious.’
Knight said, while speaking about his personal battles, he hopes the honest video would help others who have been in his shoes to seek the help that he never did.
‘What I want to say… I just want to help somebody out there who’s feeling like me. Maybe an ex-athlete, maybe someone who is changing jobs. I just want to at least try to help them out.
‘If you’re feeling like this, please get help… don’t let this linger on. Mental illness is serious.’
Knight, #3 of the UCLA Bruins, is pictured dribbling the ball during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California in December 1999
Knight celebrates during the second round of the 2002 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 17, 2002 against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Legendary UCLA head coach John Wooden, left, shares a laugh with T.J. Cummings, right, Knight, center, as Dijon Thompson (1) looks on after the Bruins defeated Alabama during trophy presentation during John Wooden Classic men’s college basketball double-header at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California in December 2001
Knight was apart of the UCLA team from 1998-2002, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. During this time, he assisted the team four times to the Sweet Sixteen.
The tragedy was the second death of its kind for the UCLA family over the course of one day.
On Saturday, former UCLA forward Tyler Honeycutt was pronounced dead at 3:45am at his Sherman Oaks residence following a police standoff, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed in a social media statement.
According to authorities, Honeycutt was reportedly suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the altercation with police at his home.
‘Regarding last nights Officer-Involved Shooting in Van Nuys Division, it appears as if the suspect was not struck by any officer’s gunfire,’ the LAPD said Sunday in a Twitter statement.
‘The suspect appears to have sustained injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.’
The athlete’s former Sylmar High basketball coach, Bort Escoto, told the Los Angeles Daily News Honeycutt had ‘been going through some things.’
Escoto said he received a frantic call from Honeycutt around 4pm on Friday.
‘I planned on going to his house to talk, but his mom called me 45 minutes later saying, “He had a gun and was talking crazy.” I told her to call 9-1-1,’ he said.
Further investigation is currently underway for both of the deaths.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.