Amar'e leaves team after brother's death
Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks looks on against the Boston Celtics. (April 24, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Amar'e Stoudemire left the Knicks to be with his family after his older brother Hazell was killed in a car wreck in Florida early Monday morning.
Stoudemire flew to Florida Monday morning. He missed Monday night's game against the Jazz and his status for the Knicks' other three games this week is unclear.
"My thoughts and prayers and everything are with him," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Whatever he needs to take, he'll take. And we'll get him back as soon as possible."
According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, Hazell, 35, crashed his 2007 Cadillac Escalade into the back of a tractor trailer on Route 27 in Lake Wales. The report said Stoudemire was traveling at "a high rate of speed" and struck the other vehicle while trying to pass it.
Stoudemire wasn't wearing a seat belt and died at the scene at about 1:40 a.m. The other driver was uninjured.
The police report also said the accident remains under investigation and that it hasn't been determined whether alcohol was involved.
Before Monday night's game, the Knicks held a moment of silence for Hazell Stoudemire.
D'Antoni exchanged texts with Stoudemire during the day, but never spoke to him and didn't know when he will return.
The Knicks play in Washington Wednesday, at home against the Lakers on Friday and at Minnesota on Saturday. Jared Jeffries started for Stoudemire against Utah.
The Knicks will miss Stoudemire, their second-leading scorer and rebounder, but D'Antoni understands that his family comes first.
"I know he's very close to his brother," D'Antoni said. "So my heart's out for him. He cherishes his family. He does a great job of maintaining all relationships. This is a trying moment for him."
