Skip to content

Ben Simmons' cousin killed in reported hit-and-run

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Less than 48 hours after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft, LSU product Ben Simmons and his family are now facing an unspeakable tragedy.

Simmons' first cousin, 21-year-old Zachary Simmons, was reportedly killed in a hit-and-run by a black Escalade around 4:30 a.m. in Hoboken, New Jersey on Saturday, according to WCBS-TV in New York.

"To be speeding enough to kill my child is beyond me," Zachary's mother, Monique Steele, told CBS2's Steve Langford. "He had just went to the NBA draft for his first cousin - number one draft pick."

Ben confirmed his cousin's death in a pair of tweets on Saturday:

- with h/t to Philly.com's Keith Pompey

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox