Who was Aaliyah Edwards’ brother, Jermaine?
AALIYAH Edwards is a skilled athlete and forward for the UConn Huskies.
The Canadian college basketball star from Kingston, Ontario, tragically lost her brother, Jermaine Sean Edwards, on February 17, 2017.
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Who was Aaliyah Edwards’ brother, Jermaine?
Aaliyah Edwards’ brother, Jermaine, was born on October 22, 1989, according to his obituary.
He was “dearly loved and cherished” by his parents, Eddie and Jackie Edwards, and was a “very loving brother” to Jahmal and Aaliyah Edwards.
Aaliyah spoke about playing basketball with Jermaine and his impact on her during a February 2021 interview with the Connecticut Post.
According to the outlet, the two siblings would play one-on-one games at the Royal Military College of Canada, and Jermaine did not go easy on his younger sister.
“He showed me tough love, because that is what I needed. At the time, I didn’t know that. I could see it as, ‘He’s just picking on me and he doesn’t know what he’s saying.’ But he knew,” Aaliyah said.
After their games, the pair would get ice cream together at White Mountain Homemade Ice Cream while discussing basketball and life.
“You’ve got that sibling rivalry when you’re playing. He was more developed than me, older, stronger. I’d get frustrated. I’d get upset,” the UConn Huskies star said.
“But what makes me the player I am today is overcoming challenges. He knew, down the line, that was going to be important. I really cherish those moments because that’s where we bonded most.
“On the court, we don’t like each other. Off the court, ice cream. We’re just brother and sister and I, for sure, loved those moments.”
Aaliyah also chose to wear her hair in purple and gold braids in honor of the Los Angeles Lakers and the siblings’ shared admiration for the late Kobe Bryant.
“He was very passionate. That’s where my development and my love for Kobe and basketball in general, a foundation of how to play the game, came from,” Aaliyah said of Jermaine.
What was his cause of death?
Jermaine tragically passed away at age 27 on February 17, 2017, in Kingston, Ontario.
His obituary says he was “suddenly taken from us.”
Aaliyah told the Connecticut Post that Jermaine unexpectedly died from a heart issue.
Who are Aaliyah Edwards’ parents?
Aaliyah’s parents are Samford “Eddie” Edwards and Jackie Edwards.
According to the Connecticut Post, they are both from Toronto, are former athletes, and now work as civil servants for the federal government.
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Jackie previously served as Aaliyah’s travel team coach, and she spoke highly of her daughter with the publication.
“One of our fondest memories: there was this little girl just staring at her, tugging at her dad’s pant leg. The dad came over and said, ‘Are you Mrs. Edwards?’ I said yes and he said, ‘My daughter would just love to meet Aaliyah,'” Jackie said.
“This little girl lit up — just, this smile — in the ice cream parlor. Aaliyah said, ‘Let me grab you an ice cream. What flavor do you want?’ That is who Aaliyah is.”
The proud mom also spoke about Jermaine’s influence on Aaliyah.
“The Kobe mentality is what Jermaine embraced. I think the two of them are in heaven having a one-on-one. That is what he taught Aaliyah. How you respect the game is to bring your best to every single possession. All other things will come.”
