12 NBA Players who died during their Playing Career 

#1 Eddie Griffin

Eddie Griffin - (via sportingnews.com)

Although he was one of the brightest talents of his class, Eddie Griffin struggled with alcoholism and missed an entire season in rehab after re-joining the New Jersey Nets. Griffin, the 7th overall pick in 2001, would have been higher in the draft if not for his attitude, and the Nets traded him to the Rockets after drafting him.

He returned to New Jersey in 2004 after being released by the Rockets for missing practice sessions and a team flight. And he would later wind up in Minnesota with the Timberwolves, where he would also get released.

In 2006, a 25-year-old Griffin met his death after ignoring a railroad warning and driving through a barrier. He was killed when a train drove right into his SUV and his body was so badly burned, it took dental records to identify him. He was also reported to have three times the legal amount of alcohol in his system.