A pair of the best recruits in the country, when Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn committed to Purdue and joined Myles Colvin as the 2 headed to West Lafayette, they instantly became one of the top recruiting classes in the country for the class of 2023. Both from the state of Indiana, the opportunity to play for the school that they had grown up watching was a dream come true. As they await their days stepping on the court at Mackey Arena, they both are grounded by faith and say they hope to use their gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.
For Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, he will be returning home to Indiana when he joins Purdue in 2023. Growing up, Dra says his family always made sure he kept faith first.
Dra says that mentality has allowed him to trust that no matter what happens on the court, God has bigger plans for him. He says a certain verse, too, has driven him to where he is today.
“Faith influences my basketball because I believe in a book that tells me ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’”
After beginning high school in Lafayette, Dra got the opportunity to play for Real Salt Lake Academy in Utah before heading to Montverde where he will spend the next year of his life. Throughout all the opportunities and struggles, Dra says his faith is a reminder that keeps him encouraged. After he was sidelined by a leg injury that required surgery, Dra fought his way back to the court and remains one of the top recruits in the sport. He says his faith has taught him to always trust God’s plan.
“Faith helps guide me through the ups and downs. I always pray when times are bad, and everytime I pray God gives me that extra burst of strength I need to get through whatever I am facing.”
For Heritage Christian star Myles Colvin, staying home was important in his decision to choose Purdue. The son of former Purdue football star Rosevelt Colvin, Myles will also be joining his sister, Raven, in West Lafayette, who is a member of the Boilermaker volleyball team. As Myles has grown up, faith was always a part of his life and he says it continues to drive him every day.
“Faith is something that is very important in my life, especially going to a Christian school and surrounding myself with people who love God. It is definitely a blessing.”
“The main thing that stuck to me when I walked away from my Purdue visit is that Coach Painter told me that nothing is earned around here and I’ll have to work. That’s something I want to ingrain into my everyday life, not just basketball. It gives you a mindset of just going out there everyday no matter your situation or status.”
Myles says that hard work and gratitude are fundamental for him, and he says faith is a reminder of how blessed he is.
“My faith has also just helped me see how blessed I am to have the opportunity to play for one of the best college basketball programs in the country. Not everyone gets that opportunity, and I will never take for granted just how much God has blessed me with my abilities.”
As Dra and Myles gear up for the rest of their junior seasons and whatever their last years in high school may bring, they have already developed a bond with one another on their way to West Lafayette. Dra says having someone like Myles waiting at Purdue makes him all the more excited to get back to Indiana. As they look to continue to develop on and off the court, Myles says he just hopes he can be the best team player when he gets to Purdue.
“I just want to get to Purdue and be someone who makes the team better overall and whatever coach painter wants me to do to help the team I’m for.”
It’s that selflessness that has gotten Myles and Dra to where they are today, and will take them where they are headed in the future.
