Watch CBS News

Brothers' Extended Family Very Proud Of Both After National Championship Game

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It was a moment many won't forget.

A three-point winning shot at the end of the NCAA Championship Game.

"That's my nephew. And he's been doing that the whole time, and when he did it, I was like 'Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord,'" said Blanche Bennet, talking about her nephew.

Another aunt, Cheryl Frierson, said, "It was like a Peyton Manning-moment when he had that three-pointer and his arms were up and all that confetti came down."

For this local family, it was more than a game. This was family.

Nephew Kris Jenkins of Villanova made that final shot as he played against his adopted brother, Nate Britt, from the University of North Carolina.

Brother versus brother in a family that sticks together.

Jenkins was interviewed after the game.

"I love him and to play against him in the championship was something special," he said.

Their aunt, Cassandra Swann, described the family dynamics.

"Our family is very close, and it brings us together when it's just one person doing something, so when it's two, two it made it more exciting," Swann said.

The Pittsburgh clan watched the game together at the family homestead in Garfield, with all of the ups and downs on the court. Knowing that whatever the outcome, both players would be better for being in the final game.

"They were number one before the event and number one after the event. Not just because they were performing, but for how they were performing," said Bennett.

The Pittsburgh relatives have been texting both players ever since the game ended and can't wait for the family reunion this summer.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.