Shortly after Cassius Winston's younger brother, Zachary, passed away last month, Tom Izzo received a phone call from Mike Krzyzewski. One coach wanted to offer the other some words of support.
Izzo would say later that it meant a lot.
And shortly after Duke trounced Michigan State Tuesday night at the Breslin Center, Krzyzewski found Winston at the end of the handshake line, put an arm around his shoulder and patted him on the chest. For a few moments, Krzyzewski spoke and Winston listened.
"He just said he respects me," Winston said. "He’s praying for me and my family because it’s a tough time. To see me pushing through and still out here playing, he just said, 'A lot of respect for you.'"
Of course, who doesn't respect Cassius Winston? He's smart, he's humble, he's gracious, and, oh, he's one of the best college basketball players in the country. Winston didn't quite have it against Duke, finishing with 12 points and seven assists, but he remains the standard for his peers, in every way. In his simple decency, he remains the standard for all of us.
After another loss Tuesday night, Michigan State's third this season, on the heels of an emotionally crushing month, Winston fielded question after question at his locker. When the crowds finally abated, he turned to his youngest brother, Khy, who was sitting a couple chairs away, exhaled and laughed. Then the reporters trickled back up, one at a time, and Winston indulged each one.
He doesn't have to do this. Heck, he doesn't even have to be playing; it wouldn't be wrong if he weren't. But Winston, who wears an Albion College basketball t-shirt pregame and post game in Zachary's honor, does what he feels is right. That's why he took stood on the court with a microphone in his hand following a recent home win, about a week after his brother's death, and addressed the Breslin Center crowd to thank everyone for their support.
His voice was strong and his words were sincere, Winston unbroken by the pain. Here he was, heavy-hearted and grieving, helping those around him heal. And that extended family has continued to wrap him in love, holding on tight to one of its own.
Even from afar, it's been evident to Krzyzewski.
"For a program to go through that, and their key player to go through that, you all have handled it really well as a community, as a team," said Krzyzewski said. "But still, that’s a very, very difficult thing. Again, our thoughts are prayers are with him and his family.
"But to me it looks like you all have really put your arms around them and tried to make it as good as it can possibly be."