SO SAD : Dallas Mavericks key player pays tribute after the death of his lovely mother.

Lively revealed that his mother, Kathy Drysdale, had died from cancer. Kathy Drysdale, the mother of Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II, died Friday following a decade-long battle with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Lively confirmed his mother’s death in an Instagram post less than two hours before the Mavericks-Pistons game at American Airlines Center. After pregame introductions, the Mavericks observed a minute of remembrance in the arena, and Lively was there, wearing his mother’s Mavericks jersey, which featured Drysdale on the back.

“My heart breaks saying goodbye to the most important person in the world to me, my best friend, my superhero, my biggest cheerleader and mom,” stated Lively in a tweet.

The Dallas Mavericks have also issued a statement:

“We are terribly sorry and heartbroken by this loss. On behalf of our organization and staff, we would want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Drysdale family, who have suffered an unspeakable tragedy. Kathy’s strength, perseverance, and joy are reflected in her son. She left an indelible impression on everyone in the Dallas Mavericks organization, as well as everyone who was fortunate enough to spend time with her. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Dereck and his entire family.”