Former NBA Coach Stan Van Gundy Reveals Wife’s Cause of Death Nearly A Year Later

Photo: Instagram/Stan Van Gundy

Stan Van Gundy, former NBA head coach, has opened up about the cause of his wife Kim's death, nearly a year after her unexpected passing. 

Kim, who died in August 2023 at the age of 61, took her own life, Van Gundy revealed on the "South Beach Sessions" podcast with Dan Le Batard.

Van Gundy, who last coached the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021, spoke about his deep grief and the lasting impact of his wife's death. "I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get over that. It was devastating," he said. Reflecting on their 35-year marriage, he shared how Kim was a constant presence in his life, making her loss even harder to bear.

Photo: Instagram/Stan Van Gundy

"I never, ever envisioned that I was going to live another day in my life without Kim," Van Gundy said. Despite knowing she was struggling, he never anticipated her taking her own life. Even after eight months, he finds it difficult to accept that she is gone and works hard to stay connected to her memory.

Van Gundy has been attending therapy to help him cope, but he still battles with his feelings about her death and her struggle with mental illness. He expressed feeling a sense of failure, believing it was his responsibility to care for her and give her a happy life.

Van Gundy met Kim in 1984 at Castleton State College in Vermont, now Castleton University, where he was the head basketball coach and she was a student. He now tries to honor her memory by living according to her values. "Her values were better than mine. She taught me a lot. And I want to live her values and a life that she would be proud of," he said.

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Source: Fox News