The memory and spirit of Grant Gondrezick Sr. was present in the the Benton Harbor High School student commons Wednesday evening as the friends and family gathered in celebration and support of his only son.
With a tear still in his eye and an image of his father on a pendant hanging from a chain around his neck, BHHS senior Grant Gondrezick II signed his letter of intent to play Division 1 college basketball for Elon University.
The signing ceremony was simultaneously celebratory and and emotionally heavy for all in attendance – but especially for the Tigers’ standout guard. He broke down in tears listening to family, coaches and mentors speak about how proud the elder Gondrezick would be of his son.
Then, it was the younger Gondrezick’s turn to speak about his dad, who died unexpectedly in 2021.
“I lost my father – somebody who spent a lot of time with me and tried to show me the ropes,” said Gondrezick, whose dad played in the NBA and became a pillar of the Benton Harbor basketball community as well as the community at large. “Losing a father and being the only boy, trying to figure that out was hard – and it still is hard.”
Gondrezick comes from a large basketball family, with generations of high-level players and coaches on both the Gondrezick and Harvey branches of the family tree. His sister Kysre was a star for Benton Harbor before becoming the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft.
His dad, however, was his biggest influence and best mentor.
“I felt like I lost the only person that believed in me, that told me I was going to play basketball – that I was going to play in the NBA,” he said. “I’m just honored and I’m humble to be able to go to the next level and just keep doing what I love to do and keep my dad’s name alive. … It’s been a long journey. It’s still going, but I just want to say thank you. I’m just blessed and I thank God.”
Many in attendance spoke of how much the elder Gondrezick meant to the Benton Harbor community, and how proud they were to see his son carry on that legacy.
“Without him, none of this would be possible,” said Lisa Harvey, mother of Gondrezick II. “The commitment and the seeds he has sown so his son is standing here, benevolent, and receiving this scholarship here today. We wanted to acknowledge him because he would be extremely proud of his son.”
Benton Harbor High School Principal Frederick Roseburgh said he met Gondrezick II when he was just “Little Grant.”
“He wasn’t that tall,” Roseburgh said. “However, he is very tall in his actions and his endurance and his commitment. Grant has been through a lot, and the things he has been through have shown how strong of a young man he really is. … I’m just so thankful that he continued to show his endurance and his commitment to one of the things I know his father wanted to see him do. He could have given it all up and he didn’t, so I thank you for that – and I’m sure your family does too.”
See more photos and a video of the signing ceremony on the WSJM Facebook page or click the links below:
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
