Longhorns basketball has the perfect response after star's cancer reveal
The Texas Longhorns were playing for much more than to just win a basketball game Wednesday night.
Just hours before they were set to tip off against 16th-ranked Texas Christian University, the school announced that sophomore guard Andrew Jones had been diagnosed with leukemia.
They responded not only by capturing a thrilling 99-98 double overtime win over TCU, but by showing a raw display of emotion for Jones.
The Longhorns got a free throw from Jericho Sims with five seconds left to take a 99-98 lead. TCU guard Jaylen Fisher nearly won it at the buzzer, but missed the layup to give Texas the win.
Longhorns coach Shaka Smart pumped his fists and exalted in the win.
“Our guys really wanted to win for Andrew,” Smart said after the game. “He’s the one that’s been on our minds and in our hearts. I’m really proud of the way they fought. I hope Drew’s listening right now. I hope he knows we love him.
“Andrew’s the best fighter on our team. He’s got a fight ahead of him but I know he’s really gonna fight. Our guys really fed off of his spirit tonight.”
Some of the Texas players held up Jones’ jersey as the band played the Texas fight song, “The Eyes of Texas,” following the win.
This morning, Texas announced that guard Andrew Jones had been diagnosed with leukemia.
Tonight, they knocked off No. 16 TCU in double OT and held his jersey high after the game. https://t.co/zLl8E6VYGT pic.twitter.com/yRwGk6KRD6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 11, 2018
Jones is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 13.5 points per game this season in 10 games. He’s missed five of the last seven games, including the last two, due to an undisclosed illness, which we now know is leukemia.
The 6-foot-4 point guard came out of high school as the 29th-ranked prospect in the Class of 2016 and is considered a legitimate NBA prospect, according to 247 Sports.
Texas released a statement Wednesday morning announcing Jones’ diagnosis.
“After undergoing a number of tests and evaluations over the past week, Andrew has been diagnosed with leukemia,” Jones’ family said in a statement. “He has begun treatments, and we hope everyone will keep him in your thoughts and prayers. This is obviously a difficult situation for our family, and we hope everyone will respect our privacy at this time.”
Statement from the family of @UTAustin sophomore G Andrew Jones: "After undergoing a number of tests & evaluations over the past week, Andrew has been diagnosed with leukemia. He has begun treatments, and we hope everyone will keep him in your thoughts & prayers. …. (cont)
— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 10, 2018
“Speaking for our entire team and staff, we love Andrew and will do everything we can to support his family and help him get back to health,” said Smart. “I want to thank everyone for being respectful of the privacy that the Jones family needs at this time.”
“We know Andrew’s a fighter with a strong family and our thoughts, prayers and support are fully behind them,” UT athletic director Chris Del Conte said. “At the University of Texas, we will do everything in our power to provide all of the resources we can to assist Andrew and his family.”
Texas improved to 11-5 and 2-2 in the Big 12, while TCU dropped to 13-3 and 1-3 in the conference.
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