LA Lakers NBA Trade Rumors, News 2014: Guard Wayne Ellington's Father Killed, Player Granted Indefinite Absence
The Los Angeles Lakers are seemingly hit with one obstacle after another as a tragic incident has befallen one of their players, guard Wayne Ellington. Police say that the player's father, Wayne Ellington Sr., was shot dead Sunday at Germantown in his car just after 8 p.m. Ellington Sr. was taken to the Einstein Medical Center where he was pronounced dead later on.
The murder had occurred at about the same time as the Laker's match against the Hornets, where they had won against 105-92 – the Lakers' first win of the season.
Wayne Ellington has been granted an indefinite absence from the team as announced by the Lakers Tuesday before their match against the Grizzlies.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"My family and I are devastated by the news of my father's murder on Sunday night in Philadelphia. We appreciate everyone's support and ask that you respect the privacy of our family during this very difficult time," Ellington had said in a statement which was released by the team.
Byron Scott, Lakers coach, had said that it was still unknown when Ellington would rejoin the team.
"It was just very sad news, obviously, and all of us have to give him space to grieve and deal with this with his family and we'll welcome him back with open arms when he decides to come back," Scott said.
Ellington had received the news after their game Sunday against the Hornets, Scott revealed.
"I got the news when I was with my family in the hallway about to go to my car. I obviously kind of dropped everything and went straight to him, spent a few minutes with him," Scott said. "A lot of his teammates were there, as well as his finace. Gerald Henderson, who he grew up with, was there. He had a lot of support."
