You might not think a cancer patient and a college ball player would be a likely pair, but Adreian Payne and 8 year old Lacey Holsworth will prove you wrong. This loving friendship is so beautiful, it may make you cry.
Adreian Payne is a senior center for Michigan State, but he’s also known as 8-year-old Lacey Holsworth’s big brother.
Lacey Holsworth is an eight year old girl who loves dancing, Michigan State basketball and her best friend Adreian Payne. Lacey is also an eight year old girl who has been battling cancer, neuroblastoma, since December 2011.
The two became best friends when the Michigan State basketball team made a visit to see Lacey Holsworth at the hospital where she was receiving treatment. Lacey’s cancer had just been discovered and Coach Tom Izzo brought the team in to give her some encouragement. Instead, Adreian Payne found a life long friend.
The two have spent the last couple of years getting to know each another.
They exchange texts, twitter messages, and she sometimes gets to visit basketball games.
Some time in 2013, Lacey Holsworth was able to walk, the tumor was gone and it looked as if a miracle had occurred.
In the fall, her cancer returned. Some would think that Lacey felt discouraged and hopeless but she faced cancer the only way she knew how, with a smile on her face and Adreian by her side.
During Adreian Payne’s senior night with the Michigan State Spartans, there was only one person (besides his biological family) whom he wanted by his side – Lacey Holsworth.
Payne held Lacey to the court during the celebration of their senior night.
In the middle of Michigan State’s Big Ten Tournament championship celebration, an 8-year-old girl couldn’t stop smiling.
Lacey Holsworth, better known as “Princess Lacey,” sat on the lap of her hero and admired the championship trophy. Spartan senior forward Adreian Payne, watched while with a smile along with the little girl.
At this moment on the court of Bankers Life Fieldhouse, after Michigan State defeated Michigan, 69-55, Lacey wasn’t a kid battling with cancer. She was a Michigan State Spartan.
As the confetti fell to the floor, Lacey knew she was part of the celebration.
When Payne was called to cut down the net, he couldn’t do it alone.
So he carried Lacey to the top of ladder, and the two continued to smile.
No matter how the Lacey Holsworth cancer story ends, one thing is for certain. Lacey and Adreian Payne are best friends forever.
Watch the video of Lacey Holsworth and Adreian Payne’s “Special Friendship”.
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