Clifford Rozier may be better known for his exploits at the University of Louisville where he was awarded All-American status in his senior year. The power forward then declared for the 1994 draft where he was selected 16th overall by the Golden State Warriors, before jetting of to Italy, and resurfacing with the Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rozier's brother has informed TMZ that Clifford died two days after suffering a heart attack. Kobie Rozier also shared details of his brother's passing with followers on facebook: "For the last few days my brother big Cliff been fighting for his life after having a heart attack. Today he lost his fight. Rest easy big bro and I’ll see you again one day."
The Herald Tribune reported that Clifford had fallen on hard times when his pro career came to an end. The newspaper published a story back in 2010 documenting his addiction to crack cocaine, and the five years he spent wandering the streets in utter paranoia. Clifford was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and often carried a pistol to ward off a persistent feeling he was being watched. Quite fortunately, Rozier spent the last 10 years in a halfway house with 9 other men in relative obscurity.
Here he is in his physical prime finishing his teammates' miss high above the rim in the 1994 Metro Tourney, a conference championship Rozier and his teammates went on to capture, earning them a berth in the National Championship.
RIP Clifford Rozier, Florida's Mr. Basketball in 1990.
