The Hornets postponed their game tonight with the Chicago Bulls.

The accident happened on Tyvola Road, just outside the Charlotte Coliseum, at approximately 11 a.m. EST, authorities said.

"There were tire impressions that were several hundred feet long from Mr. Phills' car," Charlotte police spokesman Keith Bridges said. "We have not determined anything else at this time other than it was at a high rate of speed, certainly over the speed limit."

Phills' Porsche collided with another car and a minivan. The two occupants of those vehicles were taken to a local hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, Bridges said.

The Hornets conducted their normal game-day shootaround between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Following its completion, Phills, who was wearing a seat belt, drove away from the arena.

According to police, teammate David Wesley's car was identified by eyewitnesses also as traveling excessively fast. Bridges could not confirm that Wesley was driving his own car, but police included him in the accident report for his vehicle's possible role in the accident, although it was not damaged.

Hornets owner George Shinn and a number of Hornets players quickly were on the scene.

"It looked like his car went across into the westbound lanes and swerved," Bridges said. "I don't know how far it went, but it is obvious it was out of control.

"They have collected significant information at the scene and will determine the reason for this accident. It could be several days to several weeks as far as the actual determination. We're looking into all statements involved, the skid marks and everything."

Racing on city streets is illegal in Charlotte, but Bridges said there have been no citations issued with regard to the accident.

Phills, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana native who was in his ninth season out of Southern University, is survived by his wife, Kendall, and children Bobby Ray III and Kerstie.

"This is the ultimate tragedy and our immediate thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kendall, children and family," Shinn said. "Not only was Bobby a tremendous person, but a great husband, father and role model that everyone respected and admired. He was someone that you would want your children to be like."

Phills was a college graduate who committed many hours to the Charlotte community. He had goals of becoming a veterinarian following his NBA career.

"All of us that knew Bobby was blessed," Hornets executive vice president of basketball operations Bob Bass said. "He touched all of our lives. It's shocking."

It is the second time in nine months that tragedy has befallen a professional athlete in North Carolina. On May 3, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Steve Chiasson, 32, was killed in a one-truck accident.

In late October, Hornets forward Derrick Coleman was involved in a truck accident that has kept teammate Eldridge Recasner out of the lineup for the entire season.

Phills, a swingman, averaged 13.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28 games this season. He averaged 11.0 points in 467 career games with Charlotte and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"They don't come any better than Bobby Phills," Cleveland guard Bob Sura said. "He was a great guy to be around. It's a tough night for me. This makes you realize, basketball is a small part of what life's all about."

Sura also wrote Phills' No. 13 on his sneakers before tonight's game with Portland next to the phrase, "May God Bless".

A 1991 second-round pick of the Milwaukee Bucks, Phills never played a game for the team before being waived. He originally signed a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers on March 19, 1992 and was signed for the rest of the season shortly thereafter, permanently sticking in the NBA.

He signed with Charlotte as a free agent before the 1997-98 season and was one of four finalists for the NBA's Sportsmanship Award. The 6-5, 228-pounder was a member of the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team in 1996.

"Bobby Phills represented the very best of the NBA," league commissioner David Stern said. "We all know Bobby was a talented and competitive player. But he was also one of the most respected members of the NBA, a valued teammate and a caring member of the community. He will be greatly missed by the entire NBA family and basketball fans around the world."