Adreian Payne brought her onto the floor for his Senior Night ceremony after his final home game at Michigan State.
She was there in Indianapolis when Payne cut down the nets for a Big Ten championship, in New York as the Spartans NCAA title dreams came to a crushing end and then in Dallas last week when Payne competed in a dunk contest.
Lacey Holsworth -- "Princess Lacey" as she became affectionately known -- passed away overnight, according to an Instagram message posted Wednesday morning by her family.
"Princess Lacey has achieved the ultimate victory," the message read. "She now dances among angels --¦ the world is a better place because you were in it."
Lacey, an 8-year-old cancer patient, touched the hearts of basketball fans around the nation during March Madness with her inspirational story.
She first met Payne a couple years ago when the MSU basketball team was making a hospital visit. They became very close friends, inspiring each other to greater heights.
He called her his "Little Sis" while she referred to him as "Superman."
Her passion for life was admired by those who met her, read about her and heard about her.
Jay Bilas, a college basketball analyst for ESPN, has more than 67,000 followers on Twitter, but he follows only one.
That is the account of "@adorablelacey."
"RIP Lacey Holsworth," Bilas tweeted Wednesday morning. "A beautiful soul, whose strength and courage touched and inspired us all. Heartbreaking."
Jay Bilas ✔ @JayBilas Follow
RIP Lacey Holsworth. A beautiful soul, whose strength and courage touched and inspired us all. Heartbreaking.
<time pubdate="" class="dt-updated" datetime="2014-04-09T11:05:44+0000" title="Time posted: 09 Apr 2014, 11:05:44 (UTC)">7:05 AM - 9 Apr 2014
</time>MSU guard Gary Harris added in a tweet: "Wow i dont even wanna believe it @adorableacey's family is in my prayers. I know she will be watching over us all #RIPLACEY."
Gary Harris @thats_G_ Follow Wow i dont even wanna believe it @adorablelacey 's family is in my prayers. I know she will be watching over us all #RIPLACEY ???
<time pubdate="" class="dt-updated" datetime="2014-04-09T07:15:33+0000" title="Time posted: 09 Apr 2014, 07:15:33 (UTC)">3:15 AM - 9 Apr 2014</time>
Payne did not immediately react on Twitter to the loss of his good friend. He was last seen with her six days ago when Lacey sat courtside with her mother for the dunk contest.
Adorable Lacey is survived by her father, Matt Holsworth, mother, Heather, three brothers, William, Mitchell and Luke, and, of course, her "Superman."
No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.
RIP Lacey
She was there in Indianapolis when Payne cut down the nets for a Big Ten championship, in New York as the Spartans NCAA title dreams came to a crushing end and then in Dallas last week when Payne competed in a dunk contest.
Lacey Holsworth -- "Princess Lacey" as she became affectionately known -- passed away overnight, according to an Instagram message posted Wednesday morning by her family.
"Princess Lacey has achieved the ultimate victory," the message read. "She now dances among angels --¦ the world is a better place because you were in it."
Lacey, an 8-year-old cancer patient, touched the hearts of basketball fans around the nation during March Madness with her inspirational story.
She first met Payne a couple years ago when the MSU basketball team was making a hospital visit. They became very close friends, inspiring each other to greater heights.
He called her his "Little Sis" while she referred to him as "Superman."
Her passion for life was admired by those who met her, read about her and heard about her.
Jay Bilas, a college basketball analyst for ESPN, has more than 67,000 followers on Twitter, but he follows only one.
That is the account of "@adorablelacey."
"RIP Lacey Holsworth," Bilas tweeted Wednesday morning. "A beautiful soul, whose strength and courage touched and inspired us all. Heartbreaking."
Jay Bilas ✔ @JayBilas Follow
RIP Lacey Holsworth. A beautiful soul, whose strength and courage touched and inspired us all. Heartbreaking.
<time pubdate="" class="dt-updated" datetime="2014-04-09T11:05:44+0000" title="Time posted: 09 Apr 2014, 11:05:44 (UTC)">7:05 AM - 9 Apr 2014
</time>MSU guard Gary Harris added in a tweet: "Wow i dont even wanna believe it @adorableacey's family is in my prayers. I know she will be watching over us all #RIPLACEY."
Gary Harris @thats_G_ Follow Wow i dont even wanna believe it @adorablelacey 's family is in my prayers. I know she will be watching over us all #RIPLACEY ???
<time pubdate="" class="dt-updated" datetime="2014-04-09T07:15:33+0000" title="Time posted: 09 Apr 2014, 07:15:33 (UTC)">3:15 AM - 9 Apr 2014</time>
Payne did not immediately react on Twitter to the loss of his good friend. He was last seen with her six days ago when Lacey sat courtside with her mother for the dunk contest.
Adorable Lacey is survived by her father, Matt Holsworth, mother, Heather, three brothers, William, Mitchell and Luke, and, of course, her "Superman."
No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.
RIP Lacey
RIP
