MINNEAPOLIS — The Final Four was days away, and the farthest thing from Brandone Francis’ mind. Unimaginable joy had become unthinkable tragedy. Celebration morphed into mourning.
Less than 24 hours after hugging his longtime family friend — following Texas Tech’s Elite Eight win — Francis silently struggled to process how he’d never see rapper Nipsey Hussle smile again.
“I’m still in shock,” the fifth-year senior said Thursday at US Bank Stadium. “It hasn’t left my mind.”
On Sunday in Anaheim, Calif., Hussle sat in the Red Raiders’ cheering section between Francis’ sister and his father — who works in the music industry and knew the rapper for a decade. On Monday in Los Angeles, the 33-year-old rapper was lying dead in the parking lot outside his clothing store after being shot six times.
Days ago Francis bragged to teammates about the famous fan on last weekend’s ticket list. Days ago now feels decades ago.
“For him to be in the stands, he didn’t have to do that. He’s one of the best rappers in the world and he’s cheering me on like a regular fan,” Francis said. “I was like a little kid. I’m a grown man over here excited about another man coming to see me play, but that’s how much impact he had on my life.
“For me to experience that Final Four night with him is something I will never forget. That will always live with me until the day I die. … He’s been nothing but family to me. We had a moment after the game, I looked him in the eye and we laughed. It’s amazing that everything happened that night.”
It’s amazing how quickly everything changed.
Hussle used to appear on Francis’ phone via FaceTime. Now, his face is the screensaver. The rapper’s music fills the locker room, Texas Tech’s soundtrack at the Final Four.
“I want to keep his legacy alive,” Francis said. “Those who truly knew him, they knew he was all about the community, and doing the right thing. He’s forever gonna be a legend.”
Francis acknowledged he can’t lose focus. He can’t let grief distract him from the moment he’s always wanted.
Long before Hussle’s name was written on Francis’ sneakers, the Red Raiders’ key reserve was being raised in the Dominican Republic in a poor family, which couldn’t always afford to buy him shoes.
Before he knew how to speak English, basketball brought him to the United States eight years ago. Francis became one of the country’s top prospects and signed with Billy Donovan to play at Florida.