Marcus Smart remembers mother in touching social media tribute

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart posted a tribute to his mother, Camellia, on Twitter on Monday night, one day after her death.

She was 63.

“I feel like I’m suffocating and the person who helps me get through things has left me but I know you’re in a better place with no more worries, no more hurt, no more sadness or pain,” Smart wrote. “Hate to let you go but I thank god for allowing me to have one of his angels to call my mom. Words can’t express nor is there enough time in the world to tell you how much I love and miss you.”

Smart revealed that his mother was diagnosed with cancer in April, shortly after he found out. Camella, though, was actually diagnosed in mid-January — while the Celtics were in London playing the Philadelphia 76ers — but elected not to tell him right away so he could focus on playing basketball.

Smart’s older brother, Todd, also died after a battle with cancer at 33 when Smart was just nine years old.

Smart, who is entering his fifth season in the NBA, finished last year averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. The 24-year-old and former Oklahoma State standout helped lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, where they took LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games.

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