On Nov. 25, longtime Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors’ mother Deandra passed away suddenly at age 55.
Derrick Favors, who is in his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans after spending nine with the Jazz, hasn’t played since Nov. 16 as he has dealt with injury and his mother’s passing, but he has rejoined the Pelicans after some time away to grieve.
On Wednesday before New Orleans played the Milwaukee Bucks, Favors discussed Deandra’s passing with ESPN’s Eric Woodyard (formerly of the Deseret News).
Derrick Favors’ mom died suddenly on the week of Thanksgiving. He’s re-joined the team and is in Milwaukee today, but won’t play. During shootaround, he takes me through learning the news. “I was in place where I didn't know if I can continue to play or continue to do anything." pic.twitter.com/DB7mZ2sFYf
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) December 11, 2019
Additionally, Pelicans beat writer Christian Clark wrote a story Wednesday detailing Favors’ challenging past few weeks.
“Through injuries and trade rumors, she was always that person I could call,” Favors said of his mother. “She helped me out a lot. That’s something I’m going to miss. But I learned a lot from her.”
Other links
- United States Women’s National Team — including three Utah Royals FC players — named Time’s 2019 Athlete of the Year
- Damian Lillard part of Big Sky Conference’s Hall of Fame class
- Rodney Hood has successful surgery to repair injured Achilles
And finally...
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was part of an answer on the TV trivia show “Jeopardy!,” which aired on Wednesday.