Sam Perkins killed in plane crash?

[RenegadeLonghorn]

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - A passenger jet carrying 90 people, including a Kyrgyz high school sports team, crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday near the Kyrgyz capital, killing 68, government officials said.

Among the survivors, were seven out the 17 members of the basketball team from a school in the capital, Bishkek, said Health Ministry spokeswoman Yelena Bayalinova. Presidential adviser Tokon Mamytov, however, later said that the athletes were volleyball, not basketball players.

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The article does not mention Sam Perkins but I read a translation of a foreign article that states Sam Perkins was on board the plane. I hope he's one of the survivors.

The article link doesn't work, but here's the translation:

Not confirmed.

via translation -

On board the plane crashed under the Bishkek could be two prominent basketball players NBA - гендиректор Federation basketball Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek. August 24. INTERFAX - on board crashed under Bishkekom Boeing-737 airplanes could stay two famous American basketball NBA, told journalists Director General Federation of basketball Kyrgyzstan Oleg Putilov.

"According to my information, players Samuel Perkins and Rebecca Bonner, who were in Bishkek and the town of Kant master classes, were to depart today from Bishkek in Iran - where they took place some competition. Until this all that I know. Ne I can dial up to the rest of his colleagues, "- O. Putilov told reporters.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy told reporters that "formal communication about this topic will be done the morning of 25 August."

[sportzluvr1]

wait so is he dead!!! that sucks! im surprised i havent heard anything about it!

[mufinman009]

Wasnt he coming back to the NBA?

[RenegadeLonghorn]

This is unconfirmed. He could be a survivor.

[garnett_21]

Hopefully he survived...how old is he?

[walt55054life]

I love SAM...hope he made it...I didn't think he was coming back to play but I heard or read that he was the vp of the pacers??

[the_future]

Hopefully he made it out OK.

walt55054life: That's correct, he is the VP of the Pacers.

[blacklabel]

Hope he made it out ok...

[VintageHeros]

From the looks of this report Big Smooth took another flight....

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...ntly-Safe.html

[molly1984]

wow, thats crazy if he is one of the two americans who were denied to be on the flight. talk about luck.