JP Gibson, 5, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was signed by the Utah Jazz to a one-day contract so he could compete in a scrimmage Monday night, ESPN reports.
Jazz president Randy Rigby had Gibson sign his contract before joining the team in full uniform for the franchise's annual preseason intrasquad scrimmage at EnergySolutions Arena. The pint-sized guard is easily the most popular free agent signing for the Jazz this season.
Welcome to the Jazz, JP! pic.twitter.com/kI36etzAK2
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 6, 2014
JP's parents, Josh and Megan, and his 2-year-old sister Elise were in attendance to cheer him on. Wearing a No. 1 jersey, JP entered the game and immediately made his presence felt. After dribbling into the lane, JP was lifted up by Jazz center Rudy Gobert for a slam dunk to the delighted roars of the crowd.
MUST WATCH - 5-Year-Old JP Gibson (diagnosed w/leukemia) Plays for the Utah Jazz https://t.co/aQAeDbwGMz — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 7, 2014
"JP loves most sports, but basketball is definitely his favorite," Megan Gibson said in a statement released by the Jazz. "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 6 before he can play Junior Jazz, and he reminds us all the time that he can't wait until he's 6."
