Shaquille O’Neal Sister Ayesha Harrison-Jex Dead At 40

LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — Ayesha Harrison-Jex, the sister of former Lakers great, Shaquille O’Neal, has passed away, according to reports.

Harrison-Jex, 40, died three years after being diagnosed with cancer on Thursday, his colleagues announced on Thursday’s episode of TNT’s Inside the NBA.

O’Neal’s co-host Ernie Johnson began Thursday’s episode by addressing the famous athlete’s absence. The basketball analysis program normally features O’Neal alongside Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

“We have to tell you why you’re not seeing Shaquille O’Neal here on the set tonight,” Johnson began. “Basically the ‘Big Fella,’ who I’ve described as ‘the biggest kid in the world,’ his heart is breaking tonight. He said his world revolves around his brother and two sisters. And he lost one of his sisters this morning,” reports People.

Johnson explained that Harrison-Jex had died “far too early” at the age of 40. She had been diagnosed with cancer three years ago. Harrison-Jex graduated with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Florida A&M University, and was also a mother to her son Bryce, according to Johnson. She will be laid to rest in a military cemetery and will be buried next to O’Neal’s stepfather, Sgt. Phillip Harrison.

Geo quick facts: Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city and the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Near its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers offer behind-the-scenes tours. On Hollywood Boulevard, TCL Chinese Theatre displays celebrities’ hand- and footprints, the Walk of Fame honors thousands of luminaries and vendors sell maps to stars’ homes – wikipedia.