BYU guard Craig Cusik drained an emotional buzzer-beater on Tuesday night, but not only because it gave his team an important victory over Utah State. Just hours before the game, Cusik learned that his father had been diagnosed with cancer.
Cusik chose not to discuss his father’s condition after the game, but The Salt Lake Tribune reported that doctors found a cancerous tumor Tuesday afternoon, two days after Randy Cusik collapsed and needed to be taken to a hospital. Cusik did discuss the game-winning bucket, which came after teammate Matt Carlino front-rimmed his shot attempt.
“Hard to explain,” Cusik said. “As a player, you couldn’t dream it any better. I was just fortunate. Coach called a great play. I saw that when Matt shot it that there was a chance that it was going to be a little bit short. I ran where I thought it was going to come off, and I was fortunate.the ball came to me. It’s great that I made the shot, but I have to give credit to my teammates who pulled us through the rest of the way.”
The senior finished with four points in the 70-68 win. The shot was likely a much-needed boost for his entire family on what had to have been an incredibly difficult day. Here’s hoping Randy Cusik responds to treatment and makes a speedy recovery.
H/T The Dagger
