Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire will be taking a leave of absence from the team after his older brother was killed in a car accident.
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. Authorities are still investigating and awaiting test results to find out if alcohol was a factor.
The Knicks confirmed Amar’e Stoudemire would be taking a leave of absence to fly to Florida. The Knicks play Utah at home tonight and travel to Washington on Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear when Stoudemire, 29, would rejoin the team, but he will miss tonight’s game.
“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,’’ coach Mike D’Antoni said at the team’s shootaround in Greenburgh.
Hazell Stoudemire, who lived in Lakeland, Fla., was one of Amar’e’s four brothers. He has three sisters.
“He cherishes his family and does a great job maintaining relationships. Like I said, it’s a trying moment,” D’Antoni said.
Jared Jefferies will start in Stoudemire’s spot tonight, and Jeremy Lin will make his first career start at point guard following his magical Saturday night performance in a win over the Nets.
“Our prayers and thoughts all go out to him and hopefully he’ll find comfort during this time, because obviously it’s crazy,” Lin said.
There will be a moment of silence in honor of Hazell prior to the game.
With NewsCore; AP