Ayesha Harrison-Jex, the sister of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, has tragically passed away at the age of 40 after a long battle with cancer.
Despite her young age, brave Ayesha had been fighting cancer for three years after the family was hit with the dreadful diagnosis.
The news of the passing spread as the former Los Angeles Laker’s TNT co-host, Ernie Johnson, revealed that Shaquille wasn’t present during an episode because he was grieving with his family at their home in Orlando, Florida.
“He said his world revolves around his brother and two sisters and he lost one of his sisters this morning far too early at the age of 40, from cancer,” Ernie said as he and his colleagues paid a tribute to Shaquille’s sister.
Continuing with the heartbreaking announcement, Johnson added:
“Trying to put into words the way Shaquille has reacted to this and he’s struggling … hearts are breaking in Shaq’s family and in our family as well.
“When he struggles, we struggle with him because he’s one of our brothers … basically the big fella, who I’ve described as the biggest kid in the world, his heart is breaking.”
Joining the TNT members’ heartfelt tribute was also sports commentator Kenny Smith who said:
“One of the most difficult things about being close to someone and working with them this many years is you get to know them and their family and their friends so you hurt so much more. You have the pain just as much as you have the joy.”
40-year-old Ayesha Harrison-Jex left the world as a mother-of-one and a graduate of Florida A&M University. She was a kind soul and a loving woman who put her family first.
Paying respects to Ayesha and showing his support for the family during these tough times was also NBA commissioner Adam Silver who said:
“We’ve all known Shaq’s mom Lucille since he came into the league and I’ve met his sister many times so from everyone at the league, but from me personally, my condolences to Shaq, he’s probably not watching, but to his family, and I know all of you are hurting because you’re all so close to each other.”
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