A young man with family and basketball roots in South Bend is headed to the NBA.

Javon Small was drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday night with the 48th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Small began his career at non-IHSAA member Community Baptist as an 8th grader, averaging 20 points per game for the Cougars. As a freshman, Small entered Riley High School, playing JV as a freshman, before transferring to Franklin Central High School.  Eventually, Small ended his high school career at Compass Prep in Arizona.

The road continued to wind for Small in college, beginning with two seasons at East Carolina, before transferring to Big 12 schools Oklahoma State and West Virginia for his junior and senior seasons.  Small thrived for the Mountaineers (under current Indiana coach Darian DeVries), becoming an all Big-12 selection by averaging 18.5 points and 5.5 assists per game.

Small’s South Bend roots go deep. His mother, Jovanna Wright, is a LaSalle grad who owns her own tax preparing service in town.