A LONG TIME COMING
By Chris Kowalczyk
11-13-09

One year and eight months. It’s about 600 days, and you’d better believe that Jay Gavin has been counting.  

That’s how long Gavin’s been waiting to get back on the basketball floor since he transferred from Marist following the 2007-08 season. Friday night, playing with a kid’s enthusiasm, Gavin started and scored 12 points in VCU’s season-opening, 77-51, victory over Bethune-Cookman at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

“It’s unbelievable,” Gavin said of his return. “It’s been a year and eight months since I played a game that really matters or counts on our record, so it really, really feels good.”

Gone were the struggles that plagued him during the Rams’ exhibition contest with Virginia Union on Nov. 5, in which he finished 2-of-9 from the field and couldn’t buy a jumper. Instead, Gavin showed the sweet shooting stroke that the Rams covet, knocking down 3-of-5 3-pointers.

While the shooting stroke looks the same, the shooter is carrying a heavier burden. Over the summer, his mother, Virginia, died following a long illness. Every time he made a basket or a free throw Friday, he pointed towards the heavens to his mom.

“I told coach Smart when I came back that this season is a dedication to her,” Gavin said. “She was my biggest fan, the loudest person in the stands and we always used to point at each other when I made a basket. She’d be screaming to me and I’d be pointing to her. It’s just her presence is still here with me, so I just have to show her respect. I have to show her love every time I’m on the floor.”

His mother’s illness was the primary motivating factor in Gavin’s application for a waiver from the NCAA last season. If granted, it would have allowed him to play last year instead of sitting out, as is required for transfers. VCU was closer to his parent’s Maryland home, and it would be easier for them to come and see him play. However, the NCAA saw it differently, and denied his request. Following the 2007-08 season, Marist Coach Matt Brady left the school to accept the James Madison job, and it likely factored in the NCAA’s decision.  

Over the summer, Gavin hit the gym hard. At one point, VCU Coach Shaka Smart remarked on his Twitter account that Gavin had taken 40,000 EXTRA shots. That work was evident against Bethune-Cookman, as he released effortless 20-footers.  It’s likely a source of relief for Smart and Company, who could use a sharpshooter to spread the floor for the interior stylings of center Larry Sanders.

“It was great to see him make some shots because that’s a big part of his game,” Smart said. “What I try to get him to understand is that there are a lot of other things that you do well.  Tonight he made shots and he did some of those other things. I’m excited for Jay to get this first one under his belt and now he’s officially back.”

By the time Gavin reached the press conference Friday, he was grinning nearly from ear-to-ear. For a guy who spent 20 months on the sidelines, it was clear that he was feeling like a basketball player again, instead of a fan.

“It’s extremely hard [to watch], especially after applying for the waiver, thinking I was going to get it and then not getting it and going through trials and tribulations over the summer,” Gavin said. “To finally get to this moment, it feels good.”

He won’t have to wait too long to feel that way again. Only four days until the next game.  

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