Basket-ball of Saturday, 18 October 2014
Source: csnphilly.com
Basketball took a back seat in Brett Brown's life Thursday night, despite his team playing its worst exhibition game of the preseason.
The Sixers lost, 111-91, to the Celtics at home.
Brown did not coach the game, and he saw very little of it. He had a far more pressing need. He was comforting Joel Embiid, his rookie center from Cameroon, who was mourning the sudden death of his teenage brother Arthur.
"It is a horrific tragedy for his family," Brown said. "For him to be away from his country and be away from his family at a time like this, you just try to do your best to help him get through this. Only time will have a chance to heal. It was a long day."
Joining Brown was general manager Sam Hinkie, teammate Luc Mbah a Moute and Embiid's younger sister, Muriel. They gathered at Embiid's apartment in Philadelphia.
"She was going to Rochester University," Brown said of Embiid's sister. "We were able to get her on a direct flight last night here into Philadelphia and bring her to Joel's apartment in the city. We had a lot of people around him but to see her walk through the door and be with him, you felt a little bit of relief that he had more comfort and support."
Thomas and Christine Embiid had three children. Joel is the oldest. Arthur, the youngest, was living in Cameroon with his parents.
According to Philadelphia Daily News Sixers beat writer Bob Cooney, Arthur's death was an accident.
Joel Embiid's 14 year-old brother was tragically killed in an accident involving a vehicle.
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) October 17, 2014