Arthur Embiid, the younger brother of Sixers rookie Joel Embiid, died in Africa on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
From The Associated Press:Coach Brett Brown, general manager Sam Hinkie and forward Luc Mbah a Moute -- like Embiid a native of Cameroon -- skipped the team’s exhibition game Thursday night against Boston to be with Embiid at his home in Philadelphia. Assistant coach Chad Iske coached the team in Brown’s absence.
“We’re all a family here,” Iske said. “Obviously, everybody’s thinking about Joel and his family at this time. Our hearts and prayers are with him.”
Arthur Embiid’s exact age is unknown, but Joel, who turned 20 in March, is the oldest of three children born to Thomas and Christine Embiid in Cameroon.And from Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com:
In a text from Embiid’s agent, Arn Tellem, “Joel is devastated.”
“We obviously consider members of our organization as a huge family,” director of public relations Michael Preston said. “When something of this nature occurs, it trumps a game. Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to his entire family.”Embiid was selected by Philadelphia with the third overall pick in this year’s draft, and is expected to miss the majority of the upcoming season after undergoing foot surgery this summer.
