As basketball fans our passions are always stirred by a player or team that shows heart on the court. In the feel good story of the preseason so far, the Utah Jazz showed off the size of their heart by fulfilling the dreams of young J.P. Gibson.
J.P, a five year old basketball enthusiast who is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia was signed to a one-day contract by the Jazz allowing him to play in their annual White and Blue scrimmage. He signed the contract with a blue crayon as he stood next to his family, parents Josh and Megan, two year old sister, Elsie, and Team President Randy Rigby and predicted he would score seven points in the game.
According to his mother Megan Gibson, “He’s been fighting cancer longer than he has not been in his little life.”
That didn’t seem to slow J.P. as he high-fived Toure’ Murry and subbed into the game in the third quarter sporting wristbands, a #1 jersey with his name on it, and an unbelievable swagger for a young man surrounded by idols he has watched since he was a one year old . He took the inbound pass and drove past Jazz defenders as he rose to the basket for an emphatic two hand dunk assisted by 7-foot-1 center Rudy Gobert. He then high-fived his teammates and opponents as the arena was filled with applause.
“Chemo damages their joints, so we didn’t know if he’d be able to run or walk or anything like that. And so to see him go out there on the court tonight with the Jazz, I don’t think there are words to express. We are so grateful.” His mother said, through tears in an interview with KHOU11 after the game. She also added in a release issued by the team that, “He (J.P.) started insisting on shooting hoops when he was just 15 months old. He knows he has to be 6 before he can play Junior Jazz, and he reminds us all the time that he can’t wait until he’s 6.
His father Josh Gibson said. “I wish it was for a different reason. It’s unfortunate that it’s because he has cancer, but we’re happy that there’s great people out there that care.”
Before the game J.P. prepared with the team in the locker room, went through pregame stretches alongside teammate Dante Exum, and even impressed in the Rookie dance off at midcourt. He then sat patiently on the bench relaxing with other players for the first half of the game.
J.P. and his family were clear winners in the event hosted by the Jazz as part of photographer Jon Diaz’s “Anything Can Be” project that creates storybooks for children, but it was obvious by the smiles on their faces that the players were winners too as they showed tremendous affection for their temporary teammate.
The old adage says that there is great joy in giving, and it was apparent that happiness has infected the Utah Jazz. Now we can all watch with great anticipation to see just how far it will take them and their new little friend in this young season.
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