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Former UCLA Basketball Player Billy Knight Dies of Apparent Suicide

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Billy Knight has died at the age of 39, CBS News confirmed. He was found dead early Sunday morning. Although the cause of death has not yet been released, the former UCLA Bruins basketball player posted a “last message” on YouTube the day before his body was found, encouraging others who are struggling to get help, repeatedly saying he lived a “life of sin” and revealing he felt like there was no hope for him. The video has since been taken down.

His death comes the same week another UCLA player died from an apparent suicide. Tyler Honeycutt, 27, died late Friday night. Honeycutt played basketball for the UCLA Bruins from 2009 to 2011. Knight was on the team from 1998 to 2002.

Tracy Murray, a retired professional basketball player who works as an analyst with the UCLA Sports Network, tweeted about what he called a “tough week” for the Bruin family.

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

It’s also OK to skip any news reports that include the video from Knight. His video might be hard to watch if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or if you’re currently suicidal, and your own well-being is too important.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Lead photo via UCLA Basketball’s Twitter account

Originally published: July 11, 2018
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