Former Michigan State basketball player Adreian Payne formed a special bond with young cancer patient and Spartans fan Lacey Holsworth during his time in East Lansing after meeting her two years ago. The 8-year-old sadly succumbed to the disease in April. But when the 6-foot-10 power forward (who has overcome his fair share of adversity) was selected No. 15 by the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night during the NBA draft, he honored Holsworth in very special fashion — pun intended.

The 23-year-old's custom suit paid tribute to his departed friend, with "Adreian and Lacey" stitched inside it.

Payne on the suit/Lacey tribute: "I wanted to do something in her memory ... something different and something I knew she'd really like." — Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) June 27, 2014

Adreian Payne (@Adreian_Payne) on the inspiration behind his suit. If you didn't know, Lacey Holsworth is the reason. pic.twitter.com/NlOP2mu74G — State News Sports (@thesnews_sports) June 27, 2014

Lacey's mother Heather was a guest of Payne at the Barclays Center.

History in Brazil

Moving to the World Cup, for the first time in history the U.S. men's national soccer team advanced to the knockout stage in consecutive tournaments. The USMNT will face Belgium in the Round of 16 despite a 1-0 loss to Germany in Recife Thursday.

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