Phil Friend

phillip.friend@indystar.com

Just months after Andrew Smith passed away, the Butler basketball program lost another member of its family.

Joel Cornette, who started on the Bulldogs basketball teams from 1999-2003 that made three NCAA tournaments, died early Tuesday morning. His death was confirmed by the Cook County (Ill.) Medical Examiner’s Office. He died at his apartment in the 400 block of West Huron St. in Chicago at around 1 a.m.

There is an autopsy pending and the cause of death was not determined.

Doyel: Butler's Joel Cornette 'elevated everybody around him'

"This morning, we spoke with the Cornette family, who has confirmed that their beloved son and brother, Joel, passed away early this morning due to natural causes," said Butler associate athletic director John Dedman in a press release. "They are shocked and devastated by this news. The Butler family also mourns the loss of one of our favorite Bulldogs. Additional information will be released by the Cornette family as it becomes available. Please join us in keeping the Cornette family in your thoughts and prayers."

During his time, Butler won four Horizon League titles and two conference tournament crowns, playing in every game during those four years, including starting the final 97. A 1,000-point scorer, Cornette led the Bulldogs in rebounding three straight years and blocked shots all four campaigns. The three-time All-Horizon League defender was seventh all-time in career rebounds (712) upon graduation, and is currently 10th. The Cincinnati native was selected to the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team in 2003 and was named to the school's all-century team. His 144 career blocks and .544 career field-goal percentage also rank among the top 10 in Butler history.

Cornette, 35, was on the first Butler team (2003) to reach the Sweet 16 since 1962. He was an all-around player: defense, passing, rebounding. Cornette was never much of a scorer but led the Bulldogs in scoring versus Oklahoma in Sweet 16 loss that year.

Cornette was a sports agent and served as the Director of Basketball Recruiting at Priority Sports & Entertainment. According to the company's website, Cornette worked on player evaluations, free agent contract analysis and skill development. According to RealGM.com, his client list included Wade Baldwin (Memphis), Sam Dekker (Houston), Justin Hamilton (Brooklyn), Jake Layman (Portland), Mason Plumlee (Portland) and Bobby Portis (Chicago).

Cornette joined Priority Sports in 2012. Before that, Cornette was the director of basketball operations at Butler from 2006-07 and followed Todd Lickliter to Iowa, where he was an assistant coach from 2007-10. Cornette was then a color commentator for two years with ESPN.

“Awful news. One of best coaches I've had and even better guy. Thoughts and prayers go out to Cornette fam," said former Iowa player Matt Gatens.

Friends, family mourn loss of former Butler hoops standout Joel Cornette

Lickliter couldn't confirm the news Tuesday morning, but offered: "He was an incredible person."

In a tweet, former Butler and current Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens wrote, "JC had a passion, fire, and love of team that you felt every day. He made us all Believe. We love you and miss you already #33."

Cornette graduated with a degree in business marketing in 2003.

Smith died in January after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Memorial service arrangements will be forthcoming from his family.

Todd Lickliter on Joel Cornette: 'You pray it's a mistake'

Vic Ryckaert contributed to this story.