Los Angeles Lakers guard Wayne Ellington Jr. has been granted an indefinite leave of absence from the team to grief with his family over the murder of his father.
The Philadelphia Daily News was first to report that a man found fatally shot in the city’s Germantown section over the weekend, was the father of the Lakers player.
"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 Jr. said in a statement.
Police responded to the scene of a car accident and found the victim, who shares the same name with his son, slumped over in the driver’s seat of his car with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a local hospital and died a short time later.
So far, investigators do not have a motive, witnesses or any suspects in the case.
Lakers coach Byron Scott said that Ellington Jr. learned of the death on Sunday after the team defeated the Charlotte Hornets. Scott recalled that the athlete was surrounded and supported by fellow teammates as well as players from the opposing team.
Ellington Jr. is from Philadelphia, where he played for Episcopal Academy before playing his college ball at the University of North Carolina. The 26-year-old signed with the Lakers in September and previously played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks.