76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. Rejects ‘Conspiracy Theorists’ Who Doubted His Hit-and-Run Accident
The Philadelphia 76ers star has missed the last 11 games after breaking a rib and sustaining injuries to his leg as a result of the incident
Jesse D.
Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. is defending himself against online “conspiracy theorists” who’ve doubted that he was actually the victim of a hit-and-run incident[1] last month. “This was and is a very traumatic situation for me and my family,” Oubre, 27, told reporters at Monday’s team practice, according to the Associated Press[2]. “So, I just wish that my life wasn’t like ‘The Truman Show’ where everybody kind of watched it and have their own opinion about my life.” The 76ers announced in a social media post last month that Oubre was “struck by a motor vehicle” in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia.
The Louisiana native was released from the hospital that same night in stable condition, but Philadelphia police had said the NBA star suffered a broken rib and injuries to his right side, including his hip and leg. The incident led to 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and other team representatives rushing to the hospital to check on Oubre, ESPN[3]‘s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski[4] reported at the time. Related: NBA Star Kelly Oubre Jr. Struck by Vehicle, Hospitalized in Philadelphia[5] Oubre, who welcomed his second child[6] with wife Shylynn earlier this year, has missed the last 11 games for Philadelphia.
He’s planning to return to the team’s lineup on Wednesday when they host the Washington Wizards after averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds to start the season.
Jesse D.
Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Philadelphia police have yet to track down a driver of the vehicle, which Oubre reportedly told police was silver and fled the scene after the car’s driver-side mirror hit him in the chest as he was walking down the street. Philadelphia police previously told PEOPLE[7] they’ve reviewed footage from cameras in the area and are still looking for video of the incident taking place. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter[8] to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Oubre said he’s spoken with the police and noted that there’s an ongoing investigation into the hit-and-run incident, declining to discuss specifics about what happened that night with reporters on Monday. “I’ve spoken to who I need to speak to about it and people with the way that it is, and I won’t be speaking on any details about that because they’re looking into it,” the shooting guard said. Story continues
Related: NBA’s Kelly Oubre Jr. Welcomes Second Baby, Son TsuSun, with Wife Shylynn (Exclusive)[9]
Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty
Kelly Oubre Jr.
“This is very hard for us to have to deal with and for me to miss being on the court which keeps me sane, and a lot of people were very inconsiderate and insensitive to try to worry about video cameras,” Oubre added Monday. “So yeah, I mean, I’m just really blessed that it wasn’t worse than what it is and I’m able to come back to work and smile and walk and talk and breathe.
So yeah, that’s just what I have to say about the conspiracy theorists.” Related: Police Still Searching for Video of Kelly Oubre Jr.
Getting Hit by Car, NBA Star ‘Is Fully Cooperating’[10] Regardless of what others believe, Oubre said he’s feeling ready to return to the 76ers lineup on Wednesday. “I’m excited,” Oubre said[11], according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I’m finally up out of the house, on my feet, running around, doing what I love.
I’m really happy now.” For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter![12] Read the original article on People[13].
References
- ^ the victim of a hit-and-run incident (people.com)
- ^ the Associated Press (apnews.com)
- ^ ESPN (www.espn.com)
- ^ Adrian Wojnarowski (twitter.com)
- ^ NBA Star Kelly Oubre Jr. Struck by Vehicle, Hospitalized in Philadelphia (people.com)
- ^ who welcomed his second child (people.com)
- ^ Philadelphia police previously told PEOPLE (people.com)
- ^ PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
- ^ NBA’s Kelly Oubre Jr.
Welcomes Second Baby, Son TsuSun, with Wife Shylynn (Exclusive)
(people.com) - ^ Police Still Searching for Video of Kelly Oubre Jr.
Getting Hit by Car, NBA Star ‘Is Fully Cooperating’
(people.com) - ^ said (www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com)
- ^ sign up for our newsletter! (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
- ^ People (people.com)