It has been 10 years since Jason Collier died suddenly during Hawks training camp.
The 28-year-old center passed away on Oct. 15, 2005 from sudden cardiac rhythm disturbance caused by an enlarged heart. He left behind a wife, Katie, and daughter Ella, then 20 months old.
The Hawks award the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy each year since the 2005-06 season. It’s given to the player who best exemplifies the characteristics that Collier displayed off the court as a community ambassador. Previous winners were Josh Childress (twice), Marvin Williams (twice), Al Horford, Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia, Devin Harris, Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll.
A photo and Collier’s No. 40 jersey hangs in the Hawks’ players lounge.
