Josh Grant stands out on the basketball court, in his family of 14 or in a packed Sunday School classroom of energetic 14-year-olds.
He is noticeable not only for his 6-foot, 10-inch frame, but also for his warm demeanor and fun-loving personality that make him "one of the guys" among friends and teammates despite his acclaim as one of college basketball's premier big men.Grant, 23, is the leader of the University of Utah basketball team, currently ranked No. 10 in the country in the UPI poll and 9th in the AP poll.
A returned missionary from the England London Mission, where he served from 1986-88, Grant is now a Sunday School teacher and elders quorum executive secretary in the Arlington Hills Ward, Salt Lake Emigration Stake.
He is a big factor the Utes - a team with four returned LDS missionaries - are having a dream season that has surpassed everyone's expectations. Going into the March 2 game with BYU, Utah is 25-2 and Western Athletic Conference champion, after being picked to finish sixth in the conference. The slender but wiry forward is leading the Utes in minutes played, scoring (18 points per game), rebounds and steals. And he's second in assists. He is the closest thing Utah has to a "star" player on the close-knit, hard-working team.
But he hasn't let it go to his head.
"It's sometimes nice to get your name in the papers, but people put more importance on it than it really should receive," said Grant, when asked about the media and the attention he has received recently.
Just two weeks ago he was named WAC player of the week after scoring 41 points in two wins against Wyoming and BYU. He also had six steals, a bunch of rebounds and blocked five shots.
Yet, he is quick to credit his teammates and coaches for the successful season.
"We have a great group of guys who believe in each other and who work together as a team, and a coach who knows what he's doing," mused Grant.
The fifth of 12 children and the third boy, Josh enjoys being with his family or friends. He is close to his six brothers, two of whom are serving full-time missions. He often plays basketball with his brothers or just enjoys "hanging out" with them, talking and sharing his feelings. Many of their ball games take place on a concrete court in the basement of the Grant home in east Salt Lake City, where Josh lives with his parents, Paul and Bonnie, and four of his brothers and sisters.
His two older brothers, Greg and Nathan, played basketball for Utah State University, where Greg was the top scorer in Aggie and Big West Conference history. Grant's father, a circuit court judge, played for the U. of U.
In addition to basketball prowess, a legacy of the Grant family is missionary service. Josh's younger brothers are serving in Georgia and Virginia, and one of his sisters is a missionary in Japan.
"I've had great examples," explained Grant. "Both my older brothers and two older sisters went on missions. I have wonderful parents who raised me very well. If I stepped out of line, I wasn't afraid of my parents, but knew I would get it from my brothers.
"Growing up, I got teased a lot by Greg and Nate, and maybe that's why I'm so close to them now. They are always there when I need advice or someone to talk to. We play a lot together, and play as a family in the Utah Summer Games."
Grant also is appreciative of his missionary experience and feels like it helped him on and off the court.
"I wouldn't trade my mission for anything," the lanky hoopster emphasized. "It's helped me in school, in life and in basketball. It was a great mental stabilizer for me. I find I don't get as nervous on the court and am better able to focus.
"I also have always liked to associate with people, which was great preparation for teaching the gospel. There are tons of skills you can pull out from your mission, including communication skills."
Josh and the entire Grant family perhaps reflect the character of this year's University of Utah team, according to the family's bishop, Dean H. Zobell. "They are a super family (perhaps like a 25-2 team) that are all hard working, steady and dutiful in whatever they are called to do. Josh and all of the others have been great examples. They have helped establish a great tradition of missionary service in the ward. We currently have 13 on missions and six more ready to go.
"Even when Josh has a road game and gets home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, he'll be at Church the next morning teaching his class. He's made all of the loyal BYU fans in the ward cheer for Utah."