MSU basketball's Cassius Winston thanks team, fans for support following brother's death

© Al Goldis | For the Lansing State Journal Michigan State's Cassius Winston thanks fans following the game against Charleston Southern, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. EAST LANSING — Michigan State guard Cassius Winston spoke about his brother's death after the MSU vs. Charleston Southern men's basketball game on Monday, Nov. 18.

He took the mic after the Spartans' 94-46 win and thanked his teammates and MSU basketball fans for their support following the death of his brother, Zachary. 

"I lost a piece of my heart, but you guys keep me going," he said.

"I lost a piece of my heart, but you guys keep me going."@cassiuswinston took the mic after tonight's game to thank the fans and his @MSU_Basketball teammates for their support after his brother Zachary's death. pic.twitter.com/4yG86aeeDK

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 19, 2019

Spartans head coach Tom Izzo also shared his appreciation for the support shown for Cassius.

"This is one of those things that's bigger than a game," Izzo said, following Cassius' speech.

"This is one of those things that's bigger than a game."@MSU_Basketball Coach Tom Izzo reacts to Cassius Winston's speech breaks down their big win. pic.twitter.com/oizkrJjeBm

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 19, 2019

Zachary Winston died on Saturday, Nov. 9, after being struck and killed by an Amtrak train in Albion. Zachary was a sophomore basketball player for Division-III Albion. 

Cassius played in the Spartans' game against Binghamton the day after his brother's death. The Michigan State basketball program held a moment of silence in memory of Zachary before the game.

The team announced before the MSU vs. Seton Hall game that it would be wearing patches on its jerseys in remembrance of Zachary. The patches, which the team wore against both Seton Hall and Charleston Southern, read his nickname, “Smoothie.”

Winston finished the MSU vs. Charleston Southern game with 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds.

Lana Wynn is a digital producer with the USA Today Network. You can find her on Twitter @alanawynn. 

More on MSU basketball

• See Michigan State vs. Charleston Southern basketball video highlights, final score
• Michigan State forward Aaron Henry out for MSU vs. Charleston Southern basketball game
• See Gabe Brown's huge dunk in the Michigan State vs. Charleston Southern basketball game
• Michigan State basketball to wear jersey patches remembering Cassius Winston's brother

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU basketball's Cassius Winston thanks team, fans for support following brother's death