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Sad news for a former Lakers All-Star. Nickey Maxwell Van Exel, the son of Nick Van Exel, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for murder in Texas on Friday.
The 22-year-old was found guilty Thursday of shooting Bradley Bassey Eyo in 2010.
Nick Van Exel was selected by the Lakers with the 37th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft.
Before the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant in 1996, Van Exel was the team's leader and go-to player.
Van Exel played with the Lakers until 1998, then was traded after an All-Star season for Tony Battie and the draft rights to Tyronn Lue.
He is currently on staff with the Atlanta Hawks in player development.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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