NBA News: Joel Embiid's Brother Dies of Ebola? Cause Not Yet Revealed

The younger brother of Philadelphia 76ers' first-round draft pick, Joel Embiid, died in Africa on Thursday but the reason for his demise is still unknown.

The Cameroon native did participate in the game where his team lost to the Boston Celtics because of the death of his brother Arthur. USA Today said that when the 20-year-old player learned about the news, he was immediately accompanied by his coach Brett Brown, team president and general manager Sam Hinkie and teammate Luc Mbah a Moute.

"We obviously consider our organization and members of our organization to be a huge family, so when something of this nature occurs, it trumps a game, so they will not be in attendance tonight. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to Joel and his entire family," said the Sixers' public relations director Michael Preston.

Fox News said that Embiid's parents Thomas and Christine are both based in Cameroon with his brother and a younger sister.

The loss prompted fellow teammates of Embiid to express their condolences to the newest addition to the team. Guard Tony Wroten told USA Today that this is not only a tough situation for Embiid but also for the whole team.

"My prayers go out to Jo-Jo and his family. It's tough to lose anybody, especially somebody as close as your brother, so I can only imagine what he's going through. We're definitely going to keep him in our prayers and try to get this win for him," he added.

In a Liberty Ballers article, assistant coach Chad Iske said that the team's thoughts and prayers are with Embiid. "We're all a family here."

Iske also took over the coaching role because of Brown's absence. He noted that the team staff will need to be with Embiid more especially at this crucial time in his life.

"The training staff has probably spent more time with him, but he's an engaging character. We all love him so far in so many respects. Just like everybody else, you feel for him so much. It's a tough situation to deal with at his age - for anybody for that matter - and our hearts and prayers are with him," Iske told USA Today.

Prior to him being picked as the third overall pick in the NBA draft earlier this year, Embiid sustained stress fracture on his right foot and the team is estimating that he might miss the entire season for his recovery.

His time off his first year in the NBA will also give him a chance to mourn and be with his family. Hopefully next year, he will be able to return a better and healthier player who is determined to make his mark in the the league..