WATCH: The Utah Jazz signed a five-year-old free agent to a one-day contract Monday. The boy, who has leukemia, got to live out his dream and play in a scrimmage with the pros.
TORONTO – A five-year-old boy with leukemia from Layton, Utah was given one heck of an unforgettable basketball experience.
At three-foot-four and weighing just under 40 pounds, JP Gibson became the newest member of the Utah Jazz on Monday after signing a one game contract.
Per team policy, financial terms were not released.
“JP loves most sports, but basketball is definitely his favorite,” said his mother, Megan Gibson, in a press release issued by the team.
Gibson’s deal with the Jazz turned a wish into reality.
“When he was just over a year old, he would sit with my husband Josh watching games. He started insisting on shooting hoops for an hour each night before bedtime when he was just 15 months old,” added Megan Gibson.
But Gibson isn’t your average five-year-old. He has suffered from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia since he was two and a half.
“He’s been fighting cancer for longer than he has not been in his little life,” said his mother. “If you look at him you’d never know he has cancer but he’s going on a battle each day.”
A day after signing, Gibson hit the hardwood at an open scrimmage at EnergySolutions Arena.
With a minute left in the third quarter, the tiny blonde guard delivered the highlight of the game with a two-handed dunk courtesy a lift from Jazz centre Rudy Gobert.
WATCH: The Utah Jazz are just one day away from their pre-season opener. But before that – the team signed a new player. He’s five years old. Daniel Woodruff reports.
The event was made possible by Jonathan Diaz and his “Anything Can Be” project. The Salt Lake attorney sets up events of this nature and documents them through a photo shoot.
“Any chance I get to do these kind of pictures for these kids is always positive,” said Diaz.
As for Gibson’s cancer, his parents say he’s on track to finish treatments by next May.
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