SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz saved their best offseason move for the last.
The same could be said of their intrasquad scrimmage.
On Monday, the Jazz signed 5-year-old JP Gibson, who's been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia since 2012, to a one-day contract in time for him to suit up with the team for a fun evening.
The free-agent guard, who sported the No. 1 Jazz jersey with Gibson on the back, conducted a pregame interview after officially signing his new deal using a purple crayon.
“We are a young team and we decided that we’d go even a little younger,” Jazz president Randy Rigby said with the sharply dressed youngster at his side in front of media near the team locker room at EnergySolutions Arena. “JP Gibson is the newest member of the Utah Jazz team for the day.”
Throughout the night, a beaming Gibson showed that he has the smile to be the face of the franchise. The Layton boy certainly has the personality, too.
For example, when asked how long he’s wanted to play for the Jazz, Gibson replied, “A week.”
Also during his press conference, Gibson, a future Jr. Jazz player, predicted he’d have seven points in the scrimmage while revealing that he plays NBA Jam on his iPad at home, that he scores “a lot” of points when he plays basketball, that he beats his dad when they play soccer, and that Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke are his favorite players.
Why those two?
“Because,” he said, “they’re awesome.”
By the way, “Because they’re awesome” is also why he said he loves the Jazz.
The feeling is mutual for the guy who stole the show at the scrimmage.
Gibson was an immediate fan and player favorite from the moment he stepped onto the court in his green uniform. He was given a standing ovation — from fans and players — during the introductions. He easily won the Rookie Dance-Off against Dante Exum and Rodney Hood, delighting onlookers with his moves. The small toddler then charmed the crowd while doing warm-up exercises and stretches with the Jazz.
As a grand finale, the Jazz subbed Gibson into the game for the last play of the scrimmage. After taking the inbounds pass, Gibson brought the house down with some sweet dribbling moves to get by Dante Exum and Steve Novak. Once he made it into the lane, the spunky 5-year-old received a helpful assist from 7-foot-1 center Rudy Gobert for the best slam dunk of the night.
That late-game basket capped off a night that was perfectly orchestrated and executed by the Jazz and Millie’s Princess Foundation, which a press release noted “provides financial support and hope to families affected by childhood cancer.”
The video of Gibson's dunk went viral, even making SportsCenter's Top 10 plays for the night.
“We’ve been going through this grueling training camp, and it puts things in perspective for you,” Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward said. “To have him come out there and then for Rudy to lift him up and to dunk was pretty cool. It was a special moment for all of us.”
His parents, Josh and Megan, had tears in their eyes in the interview session while standing next to JP and 2-year-old sister Elsie, who was wearing a pink Hayward jersey.
“We had no clue anything like this was going to happen. We just thought a little quick picture and (we’d) be done. The Jazz have been great at making this dream come true,” his dad, Josh Gibson, said. “I wish it was for a different reason. It’s unfortunate that it’s because he has cancer. We’re happy that there’s great people out there that care.”
JP took to sports at an early age, which obviously came in handy in his big moment Monday.
“He’s the best kid. He has loved sports since Day 1,” his dad said. “At 12 months old, he would climb up on the couch and just watch full games of basketball with me.”
His mom said JP insisted on shooting hoops for an hour each night before bedtime when he was only 15 months old.
“He knows he has to be six before he can play Junior Jazz,” Megan Gibson said in a statement released by the team, “and he reminds us all the time that he can't wait until he's six."
“He’ll have to work his way back up (to the NBA),” his dad joked. “But he’s excited (about Jr. Jazz). He’ll probably get more playing time.”
Then again, perhaps his contract with the NBA version of the Jazz will be renewed after his dazzling debut.
Although it's worth at least a million smiles and warm hearts, the team did not release the official terms of Gibson’s deal. Rigby shared the contents of the contract during the press conference, including this thoughtful statement: “The Jazz appreciate his love of basketball, thank him for being a great fan and applaud his continued strength and courage.”
Gibson's Jazz adventure was captured by photographer Jon Diaz, who will create a storybook of his NBA career.
News of the free-agent acquisition was widely praised by Jazz fans on Twitter.
"Best free agent signing ever," longtime Jazz season-ticket holder Max Chang wrote.
"I couldn't love this more," Adam Raymond wrote.
"Wouldn't it be awesome if they let him play?" Alan Dangerfield asked.
"This," wrote @_vwag23, "is one contract where it's safe to (say) no number is big enough for how valuable he is."
Bryan Henson, a friend of the Gibson's, was very excited about the signing.
"JP is a stud," he wrote, "and that is an awesome opportunity for him!"
Gibson's situation really touched another Jazz fan for a very personal reason.
"As an adult suffering from this same leukemia, I can't even imagine what this sweet boy has gone through!" wrote Kelli Gard (@kelli_BYUFan) from Hooper. "Much (love) to him."
The 19-year-old Exum said it “warms my heart” that the Jazz give back to fans like they did with Gibson.
“What a neat thing for him to be able to come out here,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder added. “To see him warming up with the team was something that’s memorable, and hopefully it’s that for him, too. It was a special night.”
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