Ex-WNBA player Margo Dydek dies at 37

BRISBANE, Australia, May 27 (UPI) -- Margo Dydek, the tallest player ever to compete in the WNBA, died at her home in Brisbane, Australia, Friday a week after suffering a heart attack. She was 37.

A message on the Web site of the Northside Wizards, a team Dydek coached in Australia, is titled: "Always in our hearts -- Margo."

Dydek, who stood 7-foot-2 and was the all-time WNBA leader in blocks, had been placed in a medically induced coma after the heart attack. Doctors said she died peacefully.

The Polish-born Dydek played for the old Utah Starzz, San Antonio, Connecticut and Los Angeles in the WNBA. She had been drafted by the Utah team, which later moved to San Antonio, in 1998 and played in the league through 2008.

Dydek ranked seventh in total rebounds, with 2,143.

The message on the Wizards' site said:

"With great sadness we acknowledge the passing of the Northside Wizards 2010 development league women's Coach Margo Dydek. Margo suffered a heart attack just over a week ago and passed away Friday ... peacefully and surrounded by her family. RIP Margo from your many friends at Northside Wizards. You were a much-loved member of our community and we will miss you greatly."