Brother of Hawks' Bembry shot and killed in North Carolina

A FEW MONTHS ago, Essence Bembry said how much she missed her younger son, away at college in North Carolina, wishing he was closer to their North Jersey home. When Adrian Potts was living in New Jersey or home from college, he would often spend time at Saint Joseph's, hanging with his brother, Hawks basketball star DeAndre' Bembry.

Sunday, Essence and DeAndre' went to Charlotte, where sometime early Saturday, Adrian Potts was shot and killed at an apartment near the UNC-Charlotte campus. Details of what happened remain sketchy, but Charlotte police said three other people were shot and wounded in an early-morning dispute. The three others were treated and released from a medical facility. No arrests have been made.

St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli said he heard the incident was over a cellphone. Essence Bembry told Martelli her son was not involved in the dispute, but was there when the gunfire began.

"Adrian was a unique soul," Essence said in a text message. "He lost his life breaking up a fight. Always a peacemaker."

DeAndre' and Adrian, 20, grew up in Charlotte before moving to New Jersey when they were in high school. They had family still in Charlotte. Adrian was going to school at North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C.

"I've been told there was a gathering to watch the NBA game (Game 4 of the Finals Friday night)," Martelli said. "He was going to come up with his mother in Jersey. He was down there planning the draft night party."

DeAndre', who played three seasons at St. Joe's, declared for the NBA draft in March after being named the Big 5 and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. The draft is June 23. Bembry had been working out for various NBA teams around the country. He came home quickly when he got the news about his brother.

"He was always around until he went to school in Carolina," Martelli said of Potts. "He was on campus all the time."

According to Martelli, Potts was in Spokane, Wash., when St. Joe's played Cincinnati and Oregon in the NCAA Tournament in March, DeAndre's final two games for St. Joe's.

Martelli spoke to Essence and DeAndre' Sunday morning as they were waiting to fly to Charlotte.

"I just talked to DeAndre' and he's awful, just awful," Martelli said.

DeAndre' Bembry had been getting ready for what was going to be a great week in his life and that of his family. The NBA draft will happen now after the worst week in all their lives.

@DickJerardi