NBA star John Wall can’t hide his grief following death of young friend

WASHINGTON Wizards star John Wall won the game but lost a friend yesterday, and he could not hide his grief in a moving postgame interview.

Why this NBA star was forced to tears

JOHN Wall is known for his blazing speed on the basketball court, his ability to run past defenders. It was his emotions that caught up with him on Monday night.

The Washington Wizards point guard scored his team’s final 10 points in a double-overtime win over the Boston Celtics, then broke down during a postgame television interview trying to discuss the death of Damiyah Telemaque-Nelson, a 6-year-old cancer patient he befriended in March.

Wall received the news via text message Monday morning and dedicated the game to his friend. He wore her name on his sneakers during the contest.

Wall once arranged for Miyah — who bravely battled Burkitt’s lymphoma — to meet rapper Nicki Minaj. Wall and Miyah kept in touch via FaceTime, sharing encouragement as recently as two weeks ago, according to the Wizards.

If you were blessed to meet and get to know Miyah you know how special of a little gir... http://t.co/FjGYmt9oZR pic.twitter.com/twA7IjMI4k

— John Wall (@JohnWall) December 9, 2014

“This game was really meant for her. It would’ve been an even tougher day to lose it,” a sombre Wall said later in the locker room. “I just went into a mode where I didn’t want to lose this game.”

Wall finished with 26 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds in the 133-132 triumph.

Originally published as NBA star John Wall can’t hide his grief following death of young friend