After USC’s unlikely comeback to defeat Providence in the First Four play-in round of the NCAA tournament on Wednesday, the team gathered in the locker room.
When the last player, Jordan McLaughlin, returned from an on-court interview, everyone jumped up and down. Coach Andy Enfield told the team he was proud, and they came together to break down the huddle when McLaughlin spoke up.
“Hold on! Hold on!” he said.
Earlier that day, McLaughlin and his teammates received a text message from Martin Bahar, USC’s director of scouting. Eight years ago, Bahar’s sister, Madeline, died of complications from leukemia.