Cassius Winston posts heartfelt message to late brother on Instagram

Cassius Winston and his family are dealing with an unthinkable tragedy after the Michigan State star’s younger brother Zachary died over the weekend, and Winston shared some of his emotions on social media following Sunday’s game.

After the Spartans defeated Binghamton, Winston posted a lengthy message about his late brother on Instagram. He hinted that the 19-year-old was struggling with depression.

View this post on Instagram

Ima 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, w everything I have in my entire body. I love you so much, if I could carry yo pain I would wear it on my shoulders just to see you happy and wouldn’t think twice. I understand it was to much, I understand I really do and yo story won’t end here. I can promise you that, the next time I run into someone in your situation ima save them, cause that’s wha you would want me to do. I wish it was a term that goes deeper then brother, cause that’s what’s you are to me, 1/3 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 w everything you had in you. You went to war w 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, ppl can’t go through wha 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 not 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 yo ass. Cause it’s no way you got me out here trying to adjust to life w out you bro. This shit so deep bro we suppose to see all this out together. But we’ll have that convo 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 ima have so much to tell you. You gone already know but ima tell you anyway. Love you Gang member wish your story coulda had a diff ending, it’s ok tho enjoy it up there. Ima see you soon enough #LuvSmoothie

A post shared by Cash (@cassiuswinston5) on Nov 10, 2019 at 10:12pm PST

“You went to war w yourself every single day not knowing if you could win that battle. And you won time after time,” Winston wrote. “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, ppl can’t go through wha you went through, you are the strongest, wisest, kindest, most caring person. The best brother/ gang member I could ever ask for.”

Remarkably, Winston was able to play in Sunday’s game just a day after his brother passed. The senior played 26 minutes and registered a double-double with 17 points and 11 assists.

Zachary Winston, the middle of three sons, was a reserve on Albion College’s basketball team. He was struck and killed by a moving Amtrak in Albion on Saturday night, and investigators believe he stepped in front of the train intentionally.