Amare Stoudemire to Return to Knicks After Tragic Loss
The New York Knicks confirmed that Amare Stoudemire is expected to return to the team on Monday after suffering a tragic family loss.
His older brother, Hazell Stoudemire 35, died in a car wreck Feb. 6.
Stoudemire missed last Monday's game against Utah Jazz, and will miss games against the Washington Wizards, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. If he returns to practice on Monday, his first day back on the court will likely be Tuesday's game against Toronto.
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In a statement released by the Knicks on Tuesday, he said he is humbled by all of the thoughts and prayers he had received.
"Thank you for all of the support. I am going to take a few days to be with my family and grieve the loss of my big brother, Hazell Stoudemire. Although it is not clear to me now, I hope to make some good come from our tragedy," he said.
Officials say Hazell Stoudemire was driving at "a high rate of speed" in a Cadillac Escalade on Route 27 in Lake Wales, Florida, when he ran into the back of a juice tanker just before 2.a.m.
The report said Stoudemire was not wearing a seatbelt, and died instantly on impact. Police have not indicated if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Hazell Stoudemire had lived a troubled life, ending up in prison under charges of sex abuse and dealing drugs at the age of 22. He was in prison when his younger brother was drafted to the Knicks.
After being released, he was sent back to prison for eight months in 2006 for getting a minor pregnant a decade earlier. He faced another court case in 2008 when his ex-wife accused him of rape, although he was acquitted.
In spite of their very different lives, Amare in 2001 told the Lakeland Ledger he was close to his big brother.
"I talk to him like every other day," said the NBA star. "He gives me advice not so much on basketball but on life in general ... he doesn't want me to make the same choices."
