It has been a tough year for Amar’e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks already, but “tough” is all about perspective. Stoudemire will be leaving the Knicks for a while after his brother was killed in a car wreck.
Hazell Stoudemire, 35, suffered fatal injuries after his vehicle collided at a “high rate of speed” with the rear of a tractor-trailer on Route 27 in Lake Wales, Fla., TMZ reported.
Florida Highway Patrol said Stoudemire was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Stoudemire will definitely miss tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz and possibly more. He has not said when he will be back yet. It is tough to think about basketball at a time like this, but this will make it even harder for the struggling Knicks to get back on track.
Focusing on the needs of his player, head coach Mike D’Antoni was very supportive of Stoudemire’s decision.
“My thoughts and prayers are with him. Whatever time he needs to take he’ll take. And then we’ll get him back as soon as possible,” D’Antoni said. “He cherishes his family and does a great job maintaining relationships. Like I said, it’s a trying moment.”
All our thoughts and prayers are with Stoudemire and his family.
