The gap year represented a meaningful time for Gavin in which he gained a newfound sense of purpose. The most important moment: he reignited his love of basketball.

Through all of the focus on his family and basketball, Gavin said that thoughts of Jack were never far from his mind. He said he tries to make his family proud, including his beloved grandmother, who traveled to see him play earlier this year, with his actions.

University in Peoria, Illinois.

Halfway through the season, Gavin underwent surgery to repair residual damage from Crohn’s disease. He longed for a fresh start after surgery rehab.

Then, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside offered Gavin a basketball scholarship. While there, he scored 1,004 points in just two seasons and earned a bachelor’s in psychology. In 2015, Coach Kelsey came knocking.

Gavin appreciated the Eagles’ style of play and the returning contingent of players. He quickly became a standout of the 2015-16 season, with a season-high 38 points against North Carolina State.

Coach Kelsey said Gavin is an extremely passionate young man whose life circumstances have shaped him into who he is today.

“He has a confidence about him and a belief that anything is possible through hard work and dedication,” Kelsey said. “Personally, athletically and academically, he pours everything he has into all of his endeavors. You want to work with someone like that. I know I do.”

“Obviously I’m not perfect, but I always try to ask Jack for guidance,” he said. “That’s my angel. I know he’s looking out for me.”

‘NATURAL ABILITY, BUT I WASN’T REFINED’ With basketball an option again, Gavin practiced “anywhere he could find time,” from pick-up games down the street to gyms.

“It was good to get a passion back in my life, and I wanted to try it for real,” he said. “People would ask where I played. I’d avoid the question. For whatever reason, I just had a natural ability to play, but I wasn’t refined.”

His friend Kyle brought Gavin with him to a Full Package program at a local gym, where athletes at all levels trained. Gavin learned a lot that summer and started playing basketball at Bradley

14

‘NOTHING GREAT ACCOM- PLISHED ON YOUR OWN’ Gavin is currently pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts degree at Winthrop. Now that the Eagles’ season has ended, he hopes he’ll be invited to the Portsmouth Invitational, a tournament for the best college senior players across the nation to show their skills to NBA scouts. Gavin would love to play professionally. He’s already received attention from Boston Celtics player Evan Turner, who tweeted “lots of NBA teams could use Jimmy Gavin right now…lefty Stephen Curry in the making.”

“I believe there’s power in words,” Gavin said of Turner’s tweet. “When someone speaks and advocates on your dreams, it’s special. I appreciate his words.

“I always believe in myself and put the work in,” Gavin said. “Nothing great is accomplished on your own. I’m grateful for everyone that has helped me along the way.”