Sometimes, there is no support quite like that which is provided by your own flesh and blood.
That was the case for WVU basketball guard Javon Small on Thursday night as he was selected 48th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.West Virginia Mountaineers fans, as well as Small’s former teammates and coaches, were happy to see him earn his NBA opportunity. But there was no one likely as excited as Small’s grandfather.
As Small heard his name called on Thursday evening, cameras flashed to Small's grandfather in the audience at the Draft, where he was failing to hold back tears while pumping his fist and shouting in excitement over his grandson's major achievement.
Javon's grandfather was HYPE pic.twitter.com/r3BAyWJt69
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 27, 2025
"My family is just my world," Small said when asked about his grandfather's reaction.
Small's opportunity at the NBA is well-deserved -- in his sole season with West Virginia, the South Bend, Indiana native managed to finish tied for the Big 12 scoring crown as he finished with 18.5 points per game. He also chipped in 5.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Mountaineers, good enough to earn All-American honors and an All-Big 12 selection.
“Small is a Grit-'N-Grind type of undersized guard who plays hard and defends full court. The up-tempo Grizzlies will hope that Small’s energy can add some juice to their second unit,” The Athletic’s John Hollinger wrote regarding the pick.
“He’ll likely start the year on a 2-way contract and hope to push his way into a deep Grizzlies backcourt rotation.”