The Utah Jazz made a surprise roster move Monday, announcing the signing of 5-year-old J.P. Gibson to a one-day contract. Per the move, Gibson joined the team for its season-opening scrimmage at EnergySolutions Arena.
Gibson, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was given the opportunity through the "Anything Can Be" project, which is run by the Millie's Princess Foundation. The goal of the project is to provide support and hope to families who have been affected by childhood cancers.
"J.P. loves most sports, but basketball is definitely his favorite," said J.P.'s mother, Megan Gibson, in an NBA press release. "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.
"He knows he has to be six before he can play Junior Jazz, and he reminds us all the time that he can't wait until he's six."
J.P. Gibson's day with the Jazz is now over, but it's a memory he'll never forget: A photographer followed him around for the day and will compose a storybook chronicling the young boy's adventure.
