Timberwolves acquire a player worth rooting for

The Minnesota Timberwolves today acquired Adreian Payne from the Atlanta Hawks, which should even give non-basketball fans someone to root for. Hard.

Payne has spent most of the season in the Developmental League. He probably won’t be a big contributor to the Timberwolves, but he’s the type of guy who should have a big following anyway.

The name may not ring a bell, but his story might.

He’s this guy.

payne

He’s the guy who, while a star at Michigan State, befriended a little girl who got cancer.

At the NBA draft last year, he wore a suit with “Adorable Lacey” embroidered on it.

She died last April.