One year ago from that day. I was playing a game against Michigan State while I was at The Ohio State University. I started the game with 3 consecutive right handed jump hooks to the baseline. People in the crowd was all excited and so was i. People who knew me and were close to me at the game or watching was like HE DOESNT KNOW AT ALL. We ended up winning the game. It went down to the wire, but we pulled it out. My best friend (Travis Smith) wanted to go to the game so bad, but my grandmother was visiting my mom and they were gonna come, so i told him i didn't have any tickets. About 3 hours before the game my mom said they weren't gonna make it because my grandmother wasn't feeling too good. So before the game i went to my dorm to take my usual 45 minute nap before i went back to the arena. I got my usual everyday call from my friend Travis, wishing me good luck tonight. I wanted to tell him that i had tickets for him, but i didn't because i wasn't sure if he would have enough time to make it to the game driving from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. So we talked for 5 minutes and then i went to sleep. After the game we go see the family and as i walked up everyone kept telling me that they're so sorry for my loss. My brother gave me a big hug, i had no idea what was going on. I finally started thinking that something happened to my grandmother because she wasn't feeling well. Coach Thad Matta and Mike Conley Sr. took me into coach's office and told me what happened. My friend Travis was riding with some friends and got in a car accident. The driver was scratch-less, the guy in the back seat had some scars, and Travis, who was in the passenger seat, died on impact. I balled my eyes out in my coach's office. I cried so much that i have not cried since, not even at the funeral. A year later i asked Coach Nate if i could make a trip home for the weekend and he allowed me. I got to see my mom's house for the first time, its huge. I got to see the car i bought her, its so nice and fast. I know its fast because i took a trip on Sunday the 27th to Terre Haute, IN to surprise visit my best friend's family Jimmy, Tami Smith his parents, Courtney Smith his sister, and Jerry and Cookie Dooley his grandparents. They told me i made their day, but in real life they made me, by letting one of the best, most thoughtful people I've ever met in my life be my best friend. How i treat and act around people was the same thing he did. He influenced me in many ways. Its funny cause as a guy you don't feel right talking to a dude everyday over the phone, but Travis was one person i could. The conversation was different. If i needed someone to talk to i would call or if he just wanted to call and curse someone out i was there. He was and still is my best friend and he will be missed R.I.P. 5.5.87 TRAVIS JAMES SMITH 1.27.07