Peterson Dedicates NCAA Success To Friend Who Died

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Libertyville native Drew Peterson had family and friends in the stands cheering him on as the University of Southern California advanced in this year's NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis. But, there was one familiar face that is missing.

Peterson says his lifelong friend, Luke Weiland, who died unexpectedly last year, should've been among those cheering loudly for the 6-foot-8 guard. USC made it to the Elite Eight before getting knocked out by Gonzaga Tuesday.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, Peterson said Weiland would've definitely been among the people Peterson turned to for support during the tournament. It was the No. 6 seeded USC Trojans first time in 20 years to make it to the Elite Eight.

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"I've gotten tickets for a couple friends and relatives who have come to Indianapolis to watch me," Peterson said. Weiland would've "100 percent" been there.

Peterson and Weiland grew up playing basketball together, practicing and traveling to games with the Kessel Heat.

"He was one of my biggest supporters," said Peterson on Tuesday. "He thought it was so cool that I was playing at this level."

They also spent much of last summer together, hanging out with friends in Libertyville. Peterson, a Libertyville High graduate and basketball standout, was home for the summer. He transferred from Rice to USC last May and only was granted immediate eligibility to the NCAA a week before the season. And Weiland, 20, was also back from college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"We hung out a lot," Peterson said.

Weiland returned to his Nebraska campus early for an internship. And Peterson was with friends in Libertyville when they learned Weiland had died. The 20-year-old was found dead in his fraternity house on campus. A preliminary investigation shows he asphyxiated on his own vomit, according to media reports.

His death hit Peterson and the Libertyville community hard, Peterson said Tuesday. But it's also been a motivator for the 6-foot-8 guard to give it his all on the court.

"I'm kind of dedicating my future in basketball to him, just remembering him," said Peterson in a video posted on the USC Men's Basketball Twitter page. "And just giving any extra motivation and effort for him in his name."

"It helps me when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed, I think about it," he continued. "It just gives me that little extra bit of effort that I need to just make sure I'm doing everything that's right and especially on the basketball court because I know he liked it so much."

Peterson's parents, Stacey and Mike Peterson, were in Indianapolis throughout the tournament. They planned to be in the during Tuesday’s game against undefeated Gonzaga.

Gonzaga pulled ahead early and ended up defeating USC 85-66.