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Lakers guard Wayne Ellington takes leave of absence following father's death
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 29: Wayne Ellington of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on October 29, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ellington took a leave of absence Tuesday following his father's death in Philadelphia.
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Lakers guard Wayne Ellington will be taking an indefinite leave of absence following the murder of his father in Philadelphia this past Sunday, according to a statement from the team. It is not clear when he will rejoin the team.
"Our players are upset for their friend and teammate," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in Tuesday's statement.
"Additionally, ownership and all Lakers employees are also saddened by this tragedy. Those of us who work with and have gotten to know Wayne have come to know what a wonderful and caring person he is. Our hearts go out to Wayne and his family, as do our thoughts and prayers."
The Philadelphia Daily News reported Tuesday that Wayne Ellington's father, who shared the same name as his son, was found inside his vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head. He later died at an area hospital. Police said they had neither motive nor suspects in the killing.
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Lakers Coach Byron Scott provided words of support to his player via the team's Twitter account.
Byron: “It’s real life stuff. It just puts everything in perspective. Wayne will be on our mind.“
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 11, 2014
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