Kevin McHale Loses 22-Year-Old Daughter, Sasha, to Lupus

by NESN Staff on Sun, Nov 25, 2012 at 12:20PM

Kevin McHale‘s daughter, Alexandra “Sasha” McHale, died Saturday afternoon, the Houston Rockets have announced.

Sasha, 22, had been hospitalized since Nov. 10 with complications related to her ongoing battle with lupus, according to USAToday.com. McHale took an immediate leave of absence from the Rockets, where he is the head coach, that same day for what was called a “personal family matter” at the time.

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander released a statement Sunday from the team.

“I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin and Lynn for the loss of their beautiful daughter, Sasha, on Saturday afternoon,” the statement said, according to USAToday.com. “Kevin and Lynn are loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time. Our entire organization is mourning the McHale family’s loss, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

McHale, who played with the Celtics from 1980 to 1993, was a three-time NBA champion and seven-time All-Star. He worked in the front office for the Minnesota Timberwolves starting in the 1990s and coached the team in 2005 and 2008-2009. After some time as a TV analyst, he became the Rockets’ head coach in 2011.

Kevin and his wife, Lynn, have four other children: Kristyn, Michael, Joseph and Thomas.