No. 3 overall pick Joel Embiid was informed today that his younger brother Arthur has died. Embiid’s brother lived in Cameroon. He died in Africa. No further details were immediately available.
In a text from Embiid’s agent, Arn Tellem, “Joel is devastated.”
Embiid will not be at tonight’s game between the Sixers and Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center. He is still in Philadelphia and joined by coach Brett Brown, president and general manager Sam Hinkie, and teammate Luc Mbah a Moute.
“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 is a native of Cameroon and his parents still live there. He is one of three children, having a younger sister Muriel.
“I do and they are close to me,” Embiid’s teammate K.J. McDaniels said of having siblings himself. “I know it is a tough situation for him. My prayers go out to him and his family. I know he is a strong dude and he has to keep pushing. I will be here for him and keep him in my prayers.”
Assistant coach Chad Iske will coach the team tonight in Brown’s absence.
