It is never easy to report on the death of a professional athlete. Late last week, it was announced we had another professional athlete lose his life.

Mark Eaton, a former NBA star who played with the Utah Jazz, has passed away. He was 64. According to a local CBS affiliate in Summit County, UT, Eaton left his home to take a bike ride around 8 p.m. local time on Friday evening, but never returned.

Eaton somehow crashed his bike and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Eaton spent the entire 11 year span of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz. The Jazz wrote the following on their Instagram account:

We are heartbroken by the passing of Utah Jazz legend Mark Eaton,” the team wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family as we all mourn the loss of a great man, mentor, athlete, and staple of the community.”

His presence continued around the organization as a friend and ambassador while giving back as a businessman and volunteer to his adopted hometown in Utah. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Teri and their extended family. Mark will be greatly missed by all of us with the Jazz.”

In other NBA news, Russell Westbrook had some strong words to say about the his head coach of the Washington Wizards, Scott Brooks. While Brooks’ future with the Wizards is uncertain after their season just came to a close, Westbrook and the following to say about Brooks:

“If it was up to me, Scotty wouldn’t be going anywhere. It’s not even a question or a conversation to even be brought up,” Westbrook said. “If the conversation is brought to me, I will definitely voice my opinion like I’m voicing it now and see what happens.”

“This year he did a hell of a job. He did a job that I’m pretty sure people didn’t think he was able to do. He kept us together, he kept us encouraged, he kept us fighting. He don’t get a lot of credit for it, but he deserves a lot of credit for putting us in position to be successful,” Westbrook said.

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