Dwayne Schintzius Dies Following Leukemia Battle
A former member of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, Dwayne Schintzius, died yesterday after battling leukemia for several years.
Schintzius suffered from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and passed away from respiratory complications at Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center, he was only 43-years-old.
Doctors explained that Schintzius died due to complications resulting from the second bone-marrow transplant used to help save his life. His younger brother Travis was the donor for both procedures.
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"He's at peace now. He's not suffering anymore. Now he's probably cracking jokes and making people laugh in heaven," Travis told the Sun-Sentinel.
He was declared cancer-free after receiving the first bone-marrow transplant in 2010 and appeared to be free of medical issues until recent complications led to the required second transplant in November.
Schintzius was drafted in the first round of the NBA draft after leading the University of Florida to the school's first three NCAA basketball tournament appearances.
He would play a total of nine seasons including stints with the Celtics, Pacers, Clippers and Spurs, but unfortunately his career was littered with injuries preventing him from fulfilling his potential at the top of the game.
Schintzius, who stood 7-foot-2 and weighed 275 pounds, is still the only player in SEC history to have more than 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists and 250 blocked shots during his collegiate career.
"There probably aren't many people who had a life like my brother did," Travis said. "He was an amazing guy with a huge heart. He knows how many people loved him. And especially the last few years, he loved a lot of people right back."
Schintzius received recognition for courage when the Tampa Bay Sports Commission gathered local team franchises for its "Sneaker Soiree" awards program last summer.
"People are giving me an award, I guess, for fighting for my life," Schintzius said. "I don't deserve the award. The people at Moffitt are the true heroes."
Schintzius is survived by his brother, Travis, and parents, Ken and Linda.
