The weekend's most memorable -- and emotional -- sports moment didn't come from the NFL, NBA or NHL, all lucrative and glamorous professional leagues now underway.
It came in a Division III basketball game during which a freshman named Lauren Hill, who has an inoperable brain tumor, saw her big hoop dream come true.
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In high school, Hill committed to play college hoops for Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with brain cancer, and just as the school year was getting underway, doctors told Hill she likely only has until December to live.
Still, Hill's one dream was to play in a college basketball game before she died. That dream came true on Sunday.
Mount St. Joseph and opponent Hiram College moved a game previously scheduled for Nov. 15 up to Nov. 2 in order to give Hill a better chance of playing. Then, as Hill's story spread in recent weeks, more and more people began to take notice.
The game was moved to nearby Xavier University, whose 10,000-seat home arena was sold out for Hill's big day. Mount St. Joseph games typically draw about 100 spectators, according to ESPN.
The 10,000 people who came out to support Hill weren't disappointed. Hill scored off a teammate's assist just 17 seconds into the game to register the first points of the college basketball season. Both teams stood and applauded, and the crowd went wild as she was subbed out before the game resumed.
.@_theMount won the tap. Lauren Hill made the layup. The place went nuts. #PlayFor22 pic.twitter.com/X87vCsQ9V5— NCAA (@NCAA) November 2, 2014
"I never thought I would play on a college court, put my feet on the floor and feel the vibration of the crowd," Hill told ESPN after the game, which Mount St. Joseph won 66-55. "This game has been amazing, and everything that happened today was amazing. This is a really good day."
If you want more on Hill's incredible story, the poignant ESPN feature embedded below does it great justice. Just be sure to have a few tissues nearby.
Some of the biggest names in basketball, including LeBron James, have taken note of Hill's story, too.
You are simply and truly "AMAZING" Lauren Hill!!! Thank you for inspiring me and I'll try my best to match you! Congrats on your game. Also be looking out for a package from I to You! You're Awesome!!!A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:36am PST
Hard to imagine a sweeter start to the college basketball season.