Lacey Holsworth, the little girl known for her close friendship with Michigan State basketball star Adreian Payne, has died.

The 8-year-old St. Johns girl had been battling cancer.

Her family shared the following message on Holsworth's Instagram account early Wednesday:

Princess Lacey has achieved the ultimate victory. She now dances among angels.... The world is a better place because you were in it. Our hearts are broken. We love you Doll. Dance all night... Mommy and Daddy, Will, Mitchell, and Luke #LoveLikeLacey

Holsworth suffered from a form of cancer called neuroblastoma. She beat the illness earlier in her childhood, but it returned.

'Princess Lacey,' as she was known, became a major part of MSU basketball this past season. Players and coaches often donned wristbands inscribed with the words "Pray for Lacey."

She was also frequently seen on TV, as recently as MSU's Elite Eight game versus UConn and then in last week's college basketball slam dunk competition, where she rooted on Payne from the sideline and even kissed the basketball for good luck before he took the court.

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