BIG3 breakout star Andre Emmett was shot and killed in his hometown of Dallas early this morning.
The 37-year old was approached by two suspects while sitting in his car in front of his house around 2:30 AM. One pulled a gun, and Emmett tried to flee on foot. He was gunned down from behind and died in the hospital.
"The BIG3 is in a state of shock over the sudden and tragic death of Andre Emmett," the league said in a statement. "Andre was a member of the BIG3 family for two seasons and never without a smile on his face. His kindness towards others and easy-going demeanor made him a joy to be around."
Emmett, who played for 3's Company, was the second-leading scorer in the BIG3 last season. He had been a standout for Bobby Knight at Texas Tech, averaging over 20 points his junior and senior year, and a second-round draft pick of the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2004 NBA Draft.
He only played 14 games in the NBA, eight with Memphis and six in a stint seven years later with the Nets. But he was always grinding and played pro basketball in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the G-League before finally hitting his stride stateside in the BIG3.
RIP.