Former Knicks draft pick found dead in SUV

Former Knicks draft pick Michael Wright was a promising young player during his years with the Arizona Wildcats (pictured during his college days).

The body of a man found dead in suspicious circumstances in Brooklyn this week has been identified as a promising basketball star who was once drafted by the Knicks.

Officials say Wright’s body was found in the backseat of a Lexus SUV with a head wound – and it appears he may have taken his own life.

Born in Chicago, the 6-foot-8 Wright played prep ball at highly-regarded Windy City power Farragut Academy – spending his freshman campaign alongside Kevin Garnett – and was later a collegiate star at Arizona, reaching the National Championship Game in 2001 with a Wildcats squad that also included future pros Gilbert Arenas, Richard Jefferson, and Luke Walton. The vehicle had been sitting on the street since Sunday, neighbors told police. His body was covered in black garbage bags.

Wright played at Arizona for three seasons, from 1998-99 to 2000-01.

“He was planning to go back to Europe and play”, Randolph Berry, Wright’s cousin, told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Taking his talents overseas, Wright played in Poland, Turkey and France.

“He wasn’t planning on retiring”.

The basketball player had been reported missing from Bergen County, N.J., where he was staying in between European gigs.

He had last been seen Sunday near his home in Closter, New Jersey, sources said.

Wright’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, police said.

Police are investigating whether the death of a former NY Knicks draft pick was a criminal act or suicide.