Alexandra “Sasha” McHale, the daughter of former Timberwolves coach Kevin McHale, died Saturday afternoon. According to the Houston Chronicle, she had long battled lupus, an auto-immune disease, and was hospitalized with a related condition.
McHale, a native of Hibbing, Minn., took a leave of absence as coach of the Houston Rockets earlier this month to be with his family.
“On behalf of the entire Minnesota Timberwolves organization, we are extremely saddened to learn about the passing of Sasha,” Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement on Sunday. “While Kevin was with our organization, we all watched Sasha grow up, and become an outstanding young woman. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin, Lynn and the entire McHale family.”
“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 on Sunday. ” 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.”
Both the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press report Sasha was 23 years old and played high school basketball at Totino-Grace.
McHale took over as the Rockets’ coach in June 2011.
