They Celebrated Basketball and a Birthday. Then Came Coronavirus. – The New York Times

By the time she could get to the Bronx, he had texted to say he was on the way to the hospital. Which one? she asked. Einstein, he wrote. It was their last communication.

Just a week or so earlier, Aiyana Greens phone had died. Lee, eight years older, was concerned that he could not reach her over several hours. He went to New Jersey to bang on her door at 2 a.m. to make sure she was OK.

He was the best big brother, she said.

She rushed to the hospital, but could not get inside.

I just wanted to hold his hand. I wanted to be near him, she said, crying as she retold the story. I kept telling the doctor, if you keep saying my name to him, I promise hes going to live. Keep saying Aiyana, Aiyana, Aiyana. Please. But I know they were so overwhelmed.

She spent much of Thursday figuring out funeral and burial plans. They will be limited to 10 people.

Had Green, Duck or Edwards died any other way, at any other time, the New York basketball community would hold big funerals, big celebrations of life.

Relatives of Duck and Edwards did not respond to messages. But the Green family wanted to get a message out.

I want people to stay inside so we can get through this a lot faster and I can personally get out of this nightmare, Greens daughter, Bria Natalie, said. She cried. I want people to know my dad was loved by all, and he wanted people to love each other. And I would do anything to have him back.

Read the original post:

They Celebrated Basketball and a Birthday. Then Came Coronavirus. - The New York Times