Somber news in Clipperland today.
Point guard and team leader Chris Paul asked for prayers today:
Scott Ashley Sterling, son of Donald Sterling—owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, was found dead at his Malibu home on Tuesday due to an apparent drug overdose. He was 32 years old.
His body was discovered Tuesday around 11:30 pm—just a couple hours after the Clippers 17-game win streak came to an end at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in a 14-point road loss.
Mr. Sterling and his wife Shelley released a statement regarding their son’s death Wednesday.
“Our son Scott has fought a long and valiant battle against Type 1 Diabetes. His death is a terrible tragedy, the effects of which will be felt forever by our family and all those who knew and loved him. We sincerely appreciate the warm outpouring of sympathy and support from so many of our dear friends…”
They acknowledged that the authorities suspect a drug overdose, stating that the “Sheriff’s homicide and Los Angeles County coroner’s personnel at this time believe that Sterling died of an apparent drug overdose.”
However, the family asked for privacy as they work through this tough time.
“At this time, we respectfully ask to be afforded the opportunity to mourn this loss in an appropriately private manner.”
Utah Jazz guard Mo Williams, who formerly spent the last two seasons with the Clippers, sent out a tweet of his own Tuesday.
Others sending out their condolences include Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace.
It is a truly sad day for any parent to see their child, no matter how old, die before them—regardless of the circumstances.
Our thoughts and prayers go out the Sterling family and the Clippers organization.
Tweet of the Night: Amare Stoudemire
Tweet of the Day: Pau & Marc Gasol
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Michael Brumagin is the “Tweet of the Day” columnist for Sheridan Hoops and a sports correspondent for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter.