EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State basketball star Cassius Winston posted an emotional Instagram message Monday after his brother, Zachary, was struck by a train and killed over the weekend.
Zachary Winston, 19, was reportedly struck by an Amtrak train after 8 p.m. Saturday in Albion. He played basketball for Albion College and was a graduate of University of Detroit Jesuit High School.
Here’s the message Cassius Winston posted on Instagram:
"(I’m gonna) put this on here cause I need you to read it and I feel like this the best way for it to get to you. I love you bro, with everything I have in my entire body. I love you so much. If I could carry your pain I would wear it on my shoulders just to see you happy and wouldn’t think twice.
"I understand it was too much. I understand, I really do, and your story won’t end here. I can promise you that the next time I run into someone in your situation, I’m going to save them, cause that’s what you would want me to do.
"I wish it was a term that goes deeper than brother -- cause that’s what’s you are to me, one-third of my heart -- and I’m struggling because there is nothing that can replace that, Smoothie. I need you. I miss you. But I’m so proud of you, bro. You fought every demon with everything you had in you. You went to war with yourself every single day, not knowing if you could win that battle, and you won time after time.
"You stood tall and you let your family love you. You gave me everything I asked for -- just one day you didn’t have enough strength, and that’s OK man. That’s really OK. People can’t go through what you went through. You are the strongest, wisest, kindest, most caring person. The best brother/ gang member I could ever ask for, and I wouldn’t replace you or change any single thing about you. Not one.
"I don’t like doing these cause I feel like they for show, but I need to you to read this, Smoothie, and I need you to know that I love you and I care for you, and the only reason I can sit here and still stand is because I know you’re in no more pain. The only reason I’m still standing.
"After that, bro, we really got beef, and when I see you again I’m beating your a**, cause it’s no way you got me out here trying to adjust to life without you, bro. This s*** so deep, bro. We’re suppose to see all this out together. But we’ll have that conversation the next time I see you, Smoothie Bean.
“Rest up, my baby, and keep watching over us. Save me a seat, and when it’s all said and done, I’m gonna have so much to tell you. You’re gone, I already know, but I’m gonna tell you anyway: Love you, gang member. I wish your story could’ve had a different ending. It’s OK, though. Enjoy it up there. I’m gonna see you soon enough. #LuvSmoothie”
Winston scored 17 points in Michigan State’s win over Binghamton on Sunday night, making seven of 16 shots to go along with 11 assists, two rebounds and a steal.
After winning Big Ten Player of the Year while averaging 18.8 points, 7.5 assists and 3 rebounds per game last year, Winston is among the favorites to win the Wooden Award this season.
Through two games, he’s averaging 19 points, 7.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds.