Lauren Hill, the women’s basketball player who inspired the nation through her fight against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, has passed away according to Local 12 in Cincinnati.

Hill was diagnosed with DIPG, a terminal brain disease, in December 2013 but made the most of her remaining time. All she wanted was to play one last game — or as she aptly put it, her first college basketball game — before the condition would take her balance and ability to play the game that earned her a spot at Mount St. Joseph University. Her story reached well beyond the bounds of sport thanks to her extreme optimism, despite there being no chance for survival.

For a short time, it seemed like getting on the court would be difficult. Her prognosis had worsened and The Mount wasn’t scheduled to play until Nov. 15 in an away game at Hiram College. The NCAA and Hiram College obliged, moving the date of the season opener up to make certain Hill would get on the court. But would fans come to watch a women’s basketball game between two Division III teams on an NFL Sunday? Absolutely. The game relocated to Xavier University’s Cintas Center, and even that was inadequate. The game sold out in minutes.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house on Nov. 2 when Hill not only started, but scored the game’s first and last baskets. Hill actually went on to appear in multiple games, even scoring again. She finallycalled it a career, at least as a player, on Dec. 18 and became an honorary coach. She was named to her all-conference team and received an honorary doctorate as well.

Hill’s greatest achievements came off the court. She inspired more than $1.5 million in donations through a fundraising effort and the #Layup4Lauren Challenge. Bengals QB Andy Dalton, Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, the Kentucky Wildcats and countless other teams and athletes took the challenge of spinning and shooting a layup with their off hand, all in the name of simulating a small bit of what Hill felt.

Her bravery also was recognized by women’s basketball icon Pat Summitt and NFL players likeBengals lineman Devon Still and Bills running back Fred Jackson.

She is survived by her father and mother, Brent and Lisa Hill, and her siblings, Nate and Erin.

CREDIT: Chris Littmann for Sporting News