National Basketball Association

Sixers center Dalembert leaves team to help Haiti

Published Jan. 18, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert is going to his native Haiti with the aid group Project MediShare to assist with the earthquake relief effort.

The 76ers released a statement Monday night saying Dalembert did not return to Philadelphia with the team after a loss in Minnesota earlier in the day. He is being excused from practice Tuesday but is expected to play in Wednesday's home game against Portland.

Dalembert is the NBA's only Haitian-born player. He has taped a public service announcement for UNICEF encouraging fans to contribute. He will address the crowd before the 76ers' home game Friday and make a $100,000 donation to UNICEF. He will also match the donations made by fans at the game.