Five days before she died, Dee Wampler's granddaughter prayed with Michael Porter Jr.

Show Caption Hide Caption NBA draft: Michael Porter Jr. goes No. 14 to the Nuggets SportsPulse: Here's everything you need to know about the Denver Nuggets first-round pick, Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr.

When there was a knock on the door, John Wampler was expecting an entourage but there was just one guy standing on his doorstep.

The son of noted Springfield attorney Dee Wampler opened his door to a 6-foot-10, 19-year-old basketball player holding a pair of size 14 shoes in his hands.

Standing there was Michael Porter Jr. — who at the time was going through back problems and was one of the most scrutinized NBA prospects in the country.

He was there to spend time with Elizabeth Joy "Lizzy" Wampler — a 10-year-old who was just a few days from passing away from cancer.

John Wampler said Porter had heard about his daughter and wanted to meet her. Through friends of friends, they were able to arrange a time to meet at the Wampler's home in Columbia.

The basketball star walked in and found Lizzy lying on the couch with her oxygen. Porter grabbed a chair so he could be at her level.

"I'll never forget it," John Wampler said. "They just kind of sat there and talked. He didn't rush it. He took his time."

The two talked about heaven, wondering what they thought it would be like.

After Lizzy heard about Porter's back injury, she offered to pray for him. In return, he offered to pray for her.

"It was a holy moment," John Wampler said. "It was a really, really awesome moment."

John Wampler remembers how gentle Porter was with her. He made eye contact. He wasn't looking at his phone or watch.

Before he left the home, Porter gave her a pair of size 14 basketball shoes, signed autographs and took photos with Lizzy.

"It meant the world to her and he put a smile on her face," John Wampler said. "He texted us one or two times afterward checking on Lizzy. He didn't have to do that. He's a busy guy. He was sincerely and genuinely interested in Lizzy."

Before Porter drove away on that Saturday afternoon, he pulled Lizzy's 14-year-old brother, Daniel, outside to take time to talk to him.

The meeting outside meant the world to Daniel. He wasn't expecting to spend time with the basketball star, but Porter still made it a point to visit with the entire family.

"Cancer affects the whole family, not just Lizzy," John Wampler said. "My son was really, really touched that someone thought about him. For someone to reach out to my boy, that was huge."

Porter posted on Instagram after his visit that Lizzy "only has hours left in this world, but she's excited because she knows she gets to spend eternity in heaven with God."

Lizzy passed away five days after Porter's visit.

Lizzy was born May 8, 2007, in Springfield to John and Jennifer Wampler, who now live in Columbia along with Daniel and another daughter, Hannah. In addition to grandparents Dee and Anne Wampler, she has many relatives in the Springfield area.

Her story was chronicled on the NBC Today Show and by media outlets in Missouri and beyond.

She was featured in multiple commercials for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and honored at professional and college sporting events.

After Porter was drafted by the Denver Nuggets during the 2018 NBA Draft with the No. 14 overall pick, Springfield attorney Dee Wampler made it a point to get the word out about the kind of person he thinks the basketball star is.

"He brought joy to a dying 10-year-old girl," Dee Wampler wrote in a News-Leader letter to the editor. "At a difficult time in our lives, our family saw a very considerate, well-mannered, caring athlete for which we will always be grateful. We wish him well in his NBA career."

MORE:

Dee Wampler's 10-year-old granddaughter dies after public battle with cancer

Local attorney Wampler praises NBA rookie: Letters to the editor

Mizzou's Michael Porter Jr. slips in NBA Draft, selected by Nuggets with No. 14 pick

5 things to know about high-profile Mizzou NBA Draft prospect Michael Porter Jr.