Emotional reunion: A tear-jerking video has captured the moment Portland Trail Blazers rookie Meyers Leonard, pictured right, is reunited with his military brother Bailey, left, who flew home from Afghanistan to surprise him before a big game

A tear-jerking video has captured the moment a Portland Trail Blazers rookie is reunited with his military brother who flew home from Afghanistan to surprise him before a big game.

On Wednesday, Meyers Leonard tweeted the emotional footage, which shows him breaking down as his big brother Bailey walks onto an Illinois basketball court and calls his name.

The video explains that the siblings became inseparable after their father died in a freak accident when Meyers was six years old, but they were torn apart when Bailey joined the marines in 2008.

'A moment I will never forget. By far the best surprise I've ever had. Hard to watch it without tearing up. #Blessed,' Meyers wrote on Twitter this week.

In the emotional film, the basketballer, who was drafted to Portland in June, described how when his father, James, passed away in a bicycle accident, Bailey stepped in as a father figure.

But four years ago, Bailey joined the armed forces to help support the family, who were having to sleep on the floor without electricity because they didn't have enough money.

After their father died, their mother, Tracie, suffered chronic back pain and couldn't work.

Shocked: Meyers, pictured, is shocked to see his brother and exclaims 'what the hell!' before dropping the ball and covering his face, as tears form in his eyes

Inseparable: Meyers, left, and Bailey, right, were inseparable after their father died years ago

To get by, the Leonards slept rough, scrounged for food and persevered through the most trying of times. But Meyers was devastated when Bailey left for Afghanistan.

In the video, Bailey explains that he has been sent to Afghanistan for two tours while Meyers stayed home and played college basketball in Illinois, forging an impressive career.

However, after missing his little brother's success for years, he decided to fly home and surprise him and watch him play.

The film, also uploaded on YouTube, shows the heartbreaking happy ending.

Best friends: Bailey, pictured right, said he tried to play a fatherly role in Meyers' life

Devastating death: After their father James, pictured, right, died the Leonards struggled with money

In the footage, Bailey casually walks into the Champaign stadium, before calling out Meyers' name.

The 7-foot-1 1/4 basketballer is shocked exclaiming 'what the hell!' before dropping the ball and covering his face, as tears form in his eyes.

He takes a moment before walking up to Bailey, and the pair share a tight embrace as tears continue to roll down Meyers' cheeks.

'They're tears of happiness,' Meyers says on the tape. 'I'm so glad to see you.'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Source: dailymai.co.uk