Joel Embiid’s younger brother, Arthur, died Thursday in Africa, the Philadelphia 76ers announced, so the rookie center will not attend the team’s preseason game against the Boston Celtics.
Sixers head coach Brett Brown, general manager Sam Hinkie and forward Luc Mbah a Moute also will miss the game to be with Embiid, who’s from Cameroon.
“We obviously consider members of our organization as a huge family,” 76ers director of public relations Michael Preston said, via CSNPhilly.com. “When something of this nature occurs, it trumps a game. Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to his entire family.”
Assistant Chad Iske will take over head-coaching duties in Brown’s absence.
Embiid, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, is expected to miss most, if not all, of this season as he recovers from foot surgery.
Photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
