ROCK HILL, SC— Former Winthrop men’s basketball standout Jimmy Gavin signed a contract to play with the NBA’s Orlando Magic for the 2016 summer league.
Gavin, who worked out for the Orlando on May 20th in a pre-draft workout, signed with the Magic following Thursday’s NBA Draft. Gavin has been working tirelessly to prepare for draft day in case his name was called or had the opportunity to sign a deal to play in the NBA summer league which became a reality Thursday night.
“I’m both grateful and excited to join the Orlando Magic for summer league,” said Gavin. “I feel prepared knowing that this opportunity is not one that came easily, but something I have earned through hard work and persistence. I’m ready to go in, compete and learn as much as possible.”
Gavin shined for the Eagles this past season averaging 18.7 points per game and leading the Big South Conference in three-point field goals made. His scoring average tied for the team-lead with rising senior Keon Johnson, which ranks as the second best average from a Winthrop player at the NCAA D1 level. He finished with 15 games of 20 or more points and three of 30 or more including a career-high 38 points at North Carolina State. Gavin was voted All-Big South First Team on his way to one of the most productive seasons offensively in the history of the program.
“Jimmy Gavin’s greatest gift in my opinion is his will,” said Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey. “I’ve said it many times: don’t bet against him. I can’t tell you what his exact path will be but his story is just beginning. If he makes it I will be the least surprised person on Earth. Jimmy can play. The game is still relatively new to him. He is only going to get better.”
Over the next week Gavin is set to report for the summer league which begins play on July 2 and ends on July 8. Games will air on NBA TV as the team will play five games in a seven-day span.