Sasha McHale, daughter of Houston Rockets coach, dies at 23

Sasha McHale, the daughter of Houston Rockets' coach Kevin McHale, has died at 23, reportedly of complications from lupus. 

Alexandra “Sasha” McHale, died Saturday in Minneapolis after a long battle with the autoimmune disease, the Houston Chronicle reported.

McHale has been on a leave of absence from coaching since November 10 to be with his daughter and family. 

“Sasha was a daddy’s girl,” Kelvin Sampson, acting head coach, told the Chronicle. “I remember last year during the lockout when we were meeting, she got sick. She was on a study abroad and had to come back. He just talked about her all the time. It’s just tough. It’s terrible. Terrible, terrible, terrible.”

The team understandably did not announce a timetable for McHale's return to coaching, Yahoo! Sports reported. 

"I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin and Lynn for the loss of their beautiful daughter, Sasha, on Saturday afternoon," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said in a statement. "Kevin and Lynn are loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time. Our entire organization is mourning the McHale family's loss and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

At least 1.5 million Americans suffer from lupus, mostly young women, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Over 16,000 new cases are reported every year. 

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