Brighton Bears new boy Marshall Sanders is set to turn his back on British basketball after his brother was killed.

The 26-year-old American centre was due to have made his debut in Saturday's win at Birmingham.

His arrival in this country was initially delayed.

Now it is feared he will not be coming at all after his brother, 24-year-old rap DJ Leonard Norton Jr, was a homicide victim in St Petersburg, near Tampa.

Nick Nurse is already lining up a replacement for Sanders, who was set to fill one of Bears' three spots for work-permit overseas players.

The Bears coach said: "As things stand, he's not coming. He still could but it's not looking likely.

"His brother has been shot and, as I understand it, he had a young child Marshall may have to look after."

Nurse has not revealed who he might bring in as a replacement although 6ft 11in Ajou Deng, who has yet to secure a British passport, has told The Argus he is available.

Sanders, a colourful character who enjoys boxing, was potentially one of Bears' most explosive signings.

Bears tip-off their home programme against London Towers at the Brighton Centre on Sunday.