Daughter of Kevin McHale, Sasha, passes away

According to numerous reports and an official team press release, the daughter of Kevin McHale, Alexandra "Sasha" McHale, 22, passed away on Saturday.

Here's Les Alexander's release:

I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin and Lynn for the loss of their beautiful daughter, Sasha, on Saturday afternoon. Kevin and Lynn are loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time. Our entire organization is mourning the McHale family's loss and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

McHale had left the team on November 10th to be with Sasha, who had been hospitalized with complications related to her lupus, but as of just Wednesday, Kelvin Sampson said the situation was "improving." Unfortunately, something obviously turned for the worse and Sasha passed away on Saturday afternoon.

Regardless, there are no words to describe the pain Coach McHale and his family must be feeling right now. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

One last thing: I'd ask that you be respectful of McHale and his family in this time and not make any assumptions about the basketball repercussions of this. It's a personal tragedy, and let's leave it at that until we know more.