Name: Gordon Hayward

Team: Utah Jazz

Position: Small Forward

NBA Statistics: 8.4 (points), 3.3 (assists), 2.9 (rebounds)

Background: Unlike many current players — who were determined to transition to the professional ranks — Gordon Hayward was once at a stage of his career were he seriously contemplated giving up the sport altogether.

Born Marsh 23, 1990 In Indiana, Gordon was selected as the ninth overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA Draft. He is now very much a staple in the team, starting in all of the Jazz’s games this season.

He attended Butler University where his contribution in his first season led them to the Horizon League, while claiming for himself the title of Horizon Newcomer of the Year. Despite all this, he thought of giving up basketball and the persuasion of his mother to continue proved vital as he led Bulter to the NCAA Finals the following season where they lost 61-59 to Duke University.

He spent his early years dribbling between sports such as tennis which were just as much a part of his curriculum as basketball. In fact, he played in a lot of mixed doubles competitions with his twin sister Heather.

Gordon attended Brownsburg High School where he experienced a marginally impressive career in basketball, leading his team to the Indiana Class 4A state championship.

He made another attempt for a state championship, this time in tennis, but his 26-3 record as a junior, though impressive, was not enough as he lost out in the state tournament.