MILWAUKEE -- Marc Marotta, a former Marquette basketball star who became board chairman of the Milwaukee Bucks arena, has died. He was 52.

The university announced Marotta's death late Wednesday. An autopsy is planned for Thursday.

Marotta was a three-time Academic All-American. He was drafted by the New York Knicks after graduating in 1984, but he chose Harvard Law School instead.

He was secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration under former Gov. Jim Doyle. Doyle said Thursday that Marotta "worked tirelessly" to fund schools and ensure children's health care and housing for the elderly.

Marotta also was BMO Harris Bradley Center's board chairman. In a statement, the Bucks called Marotta "a fantastic friend and ally" to the team, "but an even better person with a generous heart and an amazing spirit."