Two years ago, Adreian Payne met Lacey Holsworth, who was battling a form of cancer called neuroblastoma, during a visit by Michigan State players to Lansing's Sparrow Hospital. From that moment on, Adreian and Lacey developed a relationship similar to that of a brother and sister. On the Spartans' Senior Day, Lacey was there, wearing what eventually became her trademark blond wig to conceal the effects of chemotherapy. When Michigan State cut down the nets after defeating Michigan in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament, Lacey was right there on the ladder with him. When AP finished third in his first ever dunk contest, she was standing on the sidelines, cheering him on. Through it all, Lacey captured the attention of the nation and inspired everyone to be strong in the face of adversity.
Then, early this morning, this tweet was posted on her Twitter account...
Princess Lacey has achieved the ultimate victory. She now dances among angels.... The world is a… http://t.co/SAXeJ4D4zH
With her parents "holding her in their arms," Lacey died at the age of 8. In a phone interview early this morning, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo told USA TODAY, "I'm supposed to be a guy who leads men, and now an 8-year-old has impacted my life like this. … the impact on all of us will be lasting, and that's especially true for Adreian (Payne)." As for her older brother, Adreian said, “I know she’s smiling and dancing in heaven right now. My princess is now an angel.” We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
