Oakland's Max Hooper returns to court two days after father's death

Oakland senior guard Max Hooperwas back on the court Monday, two days after his father's death.

Hooper and his teammates wrote "#PLAYFORCHIP" on their shoes for their Horizon League tournament semifinal game against Wright State.

Chip Hooper, 53, died Saturday after battling cancer for four years. He attended the Golden Grizzlies' senior day Feb. 26 as a surprise to watch his son play. It was the first time he was in attendance since Max Hooper transferred to Oakland from St. John's after his sophomore year.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores helped arrange Chip Hooper's transportation from California to the game in Michigan. The elder Hooper watched his son while strapped into a gurney.

After Max Hooper scored 12 points in the Golden Grizzlies' 108-97 win over Detroit, he ran up the arena's stairs and gave his father a hug in a moment that was captured on camera.

Max Hooper said Friday that the regular-season finale was an "indescribable moment" and something he and his family won't forget any time soon.

Hooper came off the bench early in the first half of Oakland's 59-55 loss to the Raiders on Monday and buried his first shot of the night -- a 3-pointer. He finished with nine points, all on 3s.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.