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This afternoon, the Orange County Register is reporting that the Phoenix Fire Department found Knight on a Phoenix roadway at 2:45 am Sunday and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
At this time, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner has not yet released a cause of death.
News of Knight's death first broke this morning on Twitter when there were several reports which make it sound like an apparent suicide.
Former Bruins basketball player Lorenzo Mata-Real was first to share the news of Knight’s death.
Sad. Sad. Sad. Rest Easy Billy Knight. Another bruin gone. Another athlete gone. Mental illness IS NOT A JOKE!!! I’m here for EVERYONE who needs to talk. We ALL go through problems. Don’t be AFRAID TO GET HELP!! #awareness #MentalHealthMatters #SpeakUp
— Lorenzo Mata (@RealMataLo14) July 10, 2018
Knight posted a video to YouTube a few days ago to say goodbye to family and friends. (Warning: The YouTube video includes sensitive footage that may be hard to watch.)
The reports are true: former UCLA / LA Westchester ('97) standout Billy Knight , 39, was found dead in the middle of the night after posting a very disturbing/unfortunate youtube video. @CalHiSports sends our condolences to his family and basketball brothers. #RIPBilly
— Ronnie Flores (@RonMFlores) July 10, 2018
After graduating from UCLA, Knight went un-drafted in the 2002 NBA Draft. He spent some time in the NBA D-League, half a season with the Harlem Globetrotters, and played overseas.
The news of Knight’s passing comes on the heels of two other recent deaths of UCLA basketball alumni. On June 30, many of us learned that former Bruin Mike Lanier passed away from cancer in April. Then, this past weekend, Tyler Honeycutt died from what was reported as a self-inflicted gunshot.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
RIP Billy Knight, another Bruin gone too soon.