11/01/2026
Before his name was on that ball, it was left off a lot of lists.
Too small. Too young. Overlooked. And somehow, no matter what he did, he always had to prove himself all over again.
But let me tell you about Gavin Withrow.
West End of Louisville. Born and bred. West End Little League. Flaget Rams. Championships at Foster Elementary. Johnson Middle, playing against older kids when he was still the smallest thing on the court.
West End to the bone gristle.
He walked into Male High School at 13 years old and 5’2”. We didn’t even get the call about summer basketball practice. Found out late, barely got him registered. After one week of practice, he was starting.
People were looking at me like, “Who is this kid?”
I already knew.
He produced. But the growth everyone was waiting on didn’t come when theirs did. The opportunities got smaller. Senior year, he started the opener. They won. He never started another game that season.
Imagine loving something that much and still showing up every day.
So we took a chance on Victory Rock Prep in Florida. He started every game. Averaged 23 against some of the best talent in the country. Put up 31 against the nation’s top JUCO team.
Then COVID hit. Recruiting fell apart.
His road brought him right back home. Simmons College. A West End kid wearing a West End school across his chest. His first year there, they finished with the best record the program ever had.
Now look at him.
1,260 career points. His name on that ball. His place in that school’s history.
I’m proud of the basketball player. But I’m even prouder of the young man who kept going through all the disappointment, all the waiting, all the times he could’ve decided he’d had enough.
Son, I know what that ball cost you. I watched the work that came before it. And I hope you give yourself a moment to appreciate what you’ve done.
Gavin Withrow. My son.
Beyond proud. Period. 🖤
