A young WNBA fan was in for the surprise of her life when Atlanta Dream star Brittney Sykes gave her a pair of game-worn autographed sneakers following their game against the Seattle Storm on Thursday night. 

HuffPost identified the young girl as 9-year-old Mya Danielle Nelson, who has been a Dream fan for five years thanks to some family members being season ticket holders. Even though the Dream lost 82-66, that didn't stop Nelson from showing her support for her favorite team. Upon receiving the shoes from Sykes, Nelson immediately responded through tears, "I love you!" and the two embraced. 

Nelson's mother Michelle said to HuffPost in an email that her daughter caught Syke's attention earlier this season on because of her enthusiasm, saying she's always the "loudest kid in the gym" no matter the game's final result. Moments after the exchange, Nelson couldn't help but share from insightful remarks about the disparities between men and women who play sports.

"At my school, sometimes girls get bullied about how they can't play basketball with the boys. I play … and I have a really fun time," the young girl said. "I think that all of these young women are very good at sports."


Sykes credited her young fan as a reason why she's inclined to do similar acts of kindness in the future.

"That’s one of the reasons why I play," Sykes said, via HuffPost. "Whether she plays basketball or not, for her to just love women's sports is huge. She's our next generation."

Sykes' act of kindness was celebrated on Twitter, too.

Random acts of kindness is not a foreign concept to Sykes. Per Syracuse PR, the New Jersey native has a history of paying it forward, such as covering meals for unsuspecting students at her alma mater.

We're often reminded to be the change you wish to see, and Brittney Sykes is certainly setting that example.

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