Nick Vanos

Nicolaas Peter Vanos (April 13, 1963 – August 16, 1987) was an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The San Mateo, California native was selected 32nd by the Suns in the 1985 NBA draft after playing at Hillsdale High School and Santa Clara University. He played only two seasons in the NBA, both of them for the Suns at center, ending with his death in a plane crash in 1987.^[1][2]

Born(1963-04-13)April 13, 1963

San Mateo, California, U.S.

DiedAugust 16, 1987(1987-08-16) (aged 24)

Romulus, Michigan, U.S.

Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)

Listed weight255 lb (116 kg)

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Nick Vanos

Personal information
Born	(1963-04-13)April 13, 1963 San Mateo, California, U.S.
Died	August 16, 1987(1987-08-16) (aged 24) Romulus, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight	255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school	Hillsdale (San Mateo, California)
College	Santa Clara (1981–1985)
NBA draft	1985: 2nd round, 32nd overall pick
Drafted by	Phoenix Suns
Playing career	1985–1987
Position	Center
Number	30
Career history
1985–1987	Phoenix Suns
Career highlights
2× First-team All-WCC (1984, 1985) No. 32 retired by Santa Clara Broncos
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Close

Vanos and his girlfriend Carolyn Cohen both died as passengers on Northwest Airlines Flight 255, which crashed just after takeoff from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on August 16, 1987. The two were on their way back to Phoenix, Arizona after a visit to Cohen's parents in Michigan. The crash killed all but one of the 155 persons aboard, and two motorists on the ground.^{[1][3]: 25–26}