If you watched any of the NCAA tourney or have seen this talked about, you probably know about the friendship that Adreian had with this young girl. Well, she has passed. I just saw her on TV this last weekend watching him compete in the slam dunk contest. I honestly don't think it was a show. I truly believe he loved that little girl. My hat goes off to him for being an inspiration to her during her short time on this earth.

 

For those who don't know about her.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/lacey-holsworth--friend-of-msu-s-adreian-payne--has-died-122652140.html

They had a great friendship.

I would imagine that the friendship will change him forever and that he will continue

To be a great role model throughout his life.

Great story. Great young man. Wish him nothing but the best in future.

Feel horrible for the family left behind, can't imagine the grief.

What a heart breaking sad story.

My prayers go out for the family and there loss.

God takes the best ones for his angels first.

To really understand the whole story about Adreian & Lacey, you need to read the linked article.

 

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140326/SPORTS0202/303260020

 

I have to believe that God brought two hurting souls together to create a bond we could all celebrate.  Nothing else explains how something so simple as a sports team making a visit to a hospital could lead to all of this.   From where a sick little girl picks a player out of an entire team because she liked his smile.  To how this incredible young man takes that brief meeting to a level far beyond what anyone would have expected.  Adreian Payne gave everything he had trying to help a young girl through a troubling time.  Lacey Holsworth and her entire family opened their hearts and their home to a young man who had just lost the grandmother who had raised him after his mother's death when he was just 13 years old.

 

Yeah, this most recent chapter of their story is absolutely heartbreaking.  But I can't help thinking about the lesson they tried to teach all of us.  Lacey may have lost her battle with cancer, but she showed all of us that there are still athletes who make the news without a pair of handcuffs involved.  I just can't help but think that this story isn't over.