Amar’e Stoudemire takes leave of the Knicks following his brother’s fatal car crash

Sad news out of Florida, where the brother of New York Knicks star forward Amar'e Stoudemire was killed early Monday morning in a car crash. Amar'e has left the Knicks as a result for an undetermined amount of time to be with his family as they grieve. According to TMZ, Hazell was traveling "at a high rate of speed" when his SUV hit a tractor trailer. Stoudemire, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. The Sun-Sentinel has further details:

Hazell Stoudemire, 35, of Lakeland was traveling north on U.S. 27 south of County Road 17A just before 2 a.m. when his 2007 Cadillac Escalade collided with the back of a tractor trailer driven by Rupert A. Fairclough of Auburndale, troopers said.

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Amar'e Stoudemire has overcome a tumultuous childhood and adolescence to not only become a respected NBA star, but one of the more thoughtful, intelligent players that the league is proud to showcase. Our thoughts are with him and his family as they recover from this tragedy.

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