Former Suns GM and ESPN college basketball analyst Lance Blanks died by suicide, his daughter says

The cause of death for former Suns GM and NBA scout Lance Blanks was suicide, according to his daughter Riley Blanks Reed.

Blanks’ death was announced last week, as the NBA said he passed away Wednesday in Dallas. The former Texas basketball star and ESPN analyst was 56.

His daughter wrote an emotional piece for ESPN, published Tuesday, that shared he took his life. 

‘People will want more information,’ she said.

‘But the fact is we will never truly know why. And we don’t need to. All we need to do is remember him, honor him, celebrate him and pour our love into the family that made him happy.’ 

Riley Blanks Reed honored her father Lance Blanks in a touching article published Tuesday

Blanks Reed (right) is seen in a childhood photo with her sister Bryn, father and mother

Blanks Reed said her father was her ‘person, idol, teacher, best friend and confidant’

At the time of his death, Blanks was on assignment as a scout for the the Clippers, according to Reuters.

After starring at Texas in college, Blanks was a first-round pick (26th overall) in the 1990 draft by the Pistons and played three years in the NBA with Detroit and later the Timberwolves.

In his post-playing career, Blanks worked in the front offices of the Spurs and Cavaliers before serving as the general manager of the Suns from 2010-13.

‘All we need to know is that, oftentimes, the people in the most pain are the giants in our lives,’ Blanks Reed wrote.

She added later on, ‘Daddy was my person, my idol, my teacher, my best friend and my confidant — a man I thought immortal. He encompassed everything to me.’ 

Blanks was inducted into the Texas Longhorns Hall of Honor in 2007.

‘Lance was a light for all those who knew him,’ said NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars, who was teammates with Blanks on the Detroit Pistons in the early 1990s.

‘It’s been a privilege to have called him one of my closest friends. I’m eternally grateful for all the support he has shown me throughout the years.

‘His legacy will be carried on, not only by his family, but by all those whose lives he touched for the better. You will be dearly missed, brother.’

The Suns said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lance Blanks. He loved basketball and contributed to the game as a player, executive, scout and broadcaster.

Lance Blanks, served as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, died at the age of 56 last week

Blanks served as a college basketball analyst with ESPN and the Longhorn Network

Banks played two seasons with the Pistons after being drafted by the team in 1990

‘We got to see his passion for the game firsthand in his time as Suns general manager.

‘Beyond basketball, Lance was  devoted father to his beloved daughters and a revered friend to so many.

‘We extend our sincere condolences to his family and fiends at this most difficult of times. He will be missed.’ 

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.