Five-year-old JP Gibson had his dream come true when he was signed to his favourite basketball team, Utah Jazz.
JP was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2012, and has been undergoing treatment for the last two years.
When JP was invited to meet his favourite team, his family had no idea what was in store for the little boy.
We had no clue anything like this was going to happen. We just thought a little quick picture and be done,” his astonished dad, Josh said.
Utah Jazz not only met the little boy, but held a press conference where they signed him up as a “free agent” on the team. The little boy signed his contract in crayon.
“We are a young team and we decided that we’d go even a little younger,” Randy Rigby, the President of Utah Jazz said.
“JP Gibson is the newest member of the Utah Jazz team for the day.”
JP received a standing ovation from the crowd when he came onto the court, and managed to get a slam dunk – with a bit of help from his new teammates.
“The Jazz have been great at making this dream come true,” Josh said. “I wish it was for a different reason. It’s unfortunate that it’s because he has cancer. We’re happy that there are great people out there that care.”
The little boy has been a huge sport fan his whole life, and is more determined than ever to become a great player.
“He’s the best kid. He has loved sports since day one,” his dad said. “At 12 months old, he would climb up on the couch and just watch full games of basketball with me.”
“He knows he has to be six before he can play Junior Jazz,” his mum Megan added, “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 Utah Jazz team],” his dad joked. “But he’s excited. He’ll probably get more playing time.”
