Jarvis Wright always wanted to play Division I basketball, and he knew he could make it happen with his work ethic.
When it came time to decide where he wanted to pursue his career, Morehead State University was the obvious choice.
"I chose MSU because it just felt like home, and I was wanted," Wright said. "Coach Mattox came to my games, and I felt wanted. When I came for a visit, it just felt like I was meant to be here."
Wright's willingness to do anything to improve is one of his greatest qualities, according to Morehead State men's basketball manager Patrick McDonald.
"Jarvis is a great person, always laughing and making jokes with his teammates, which makes him a great teammate," McDonald said. "He comes in every day ready to get better and motivate the guys around him to get better as well. Jarvis is an example of an everyday guy. You are always going to get his all, and he pushes to raise the bar."
Wright's work ethic paid off in a big way during his high school career.
Wright hit a buzzer-beater in the state playoffs, which is a moment he still looks back on to this day.
"It was an amazing experience," Wright said. "It still doesn't feel real to this day. I watch it every single day. I stayed calm because our coach was calm, and we had God on our side. We knew all the hard work we put into that game. We couldn't be nervous for one simple shot."
Wright plans to take that hard work and apply it to the collegiate level.
He looks up to his teammates and knows they're the perfect people to help him grow.
"I plan to expand my game just by learning," Wright said. "Learning from
Davion Cunningham and
Josiah Legree as the guards is teaching me a lot. They don't know that I look up to them, but I watch every step they take on the court and watch how they can just stay calm and use their bodies. I always love competing against them because it opens me up more to see how they react off certain moves."
McDonald has no doubts in Wright's ability to leave his mark on Morehead State.
"I think Jarvis is a fantastic player who can shoot the ball at a great clip and will do anything coach asks of him on the court," McDonald said. "I remember playing against and watching him in high school, and he is a proven winner with a long playing career ahead of him."
Wright's journey to MSU started with his old coach, David Bailey.
Bailey taught Wright the fundamentals of basketball and helped him fall in love with the game.
Wright knows he wouldn't be where he is today without Bailey's guidance and support.
"Yes, I got into basketball because of my old coach, David Bailey, and from then, we just took off by being in the gym, and trusting each other day by day," Wright said.
Wright is eager to leave his mark at Morehead State University and knows that he's in the perfect position to do so.
With the support of his teammates and coaches, he knows he can continue to grow and expand his game.
