The senior will graduate in May, but over the past five years he has recovered from breaking his left arm twice and his right leg.
GREENBRIER — Jake Downard’s career as a basketball player at Greenbrier was nearly over before it ever began.
But his injuries haven’t stopped him from playing the sport he loves.
As an eighth-grader, Downard broke his left arm after driving into the basket and landing on it awkwardly.
The injury forced him to miss the rest of the season and his rehab delayed him from entering high school ready to compete for playing time.
After playing on Greenbrier’s freshman team for a year, Downard was nearly ready to make the transition to varsity, when injury struck again.
Downard’s sophomore basketball season was cut short when he broke his right leg.
His season was over, but Downard was not; he wasn’t ready to give up fighting for basketball, not yet.
Now used to the rehab process, Downard watched from the sidelines as the Bobcats put together a 3-20 record and exited the playoffs with a first round loss to Westmoreland, 56-44.
A year later Downard was back ready to help Greenbrier in his junior season.
Downard and the Bobcats were 4-5 and entering their first district game against White House, when he broke his left arm again.
“I knew as soon as it happened,” Downard recalls of his third season-ending injury in four years.
This time Downard went over a defender who drew a charge causing him to try and catch himself on the way down with his arm.
But Downard didn’t give up, in fact, he credits his former coach, Clint Mason who helped him stay positive through his injuries.
Despite recovering from three season ending injuries, Downard continues to play basketball at the highest level.
Downard and the Bobcats are currently 11-11 (4-4 in District 9-AA) still with the opportunity to compete for a spot in the district playoffs.
After his senior season, Downard believes his basketball career will likely end.
Reach Andrew Preston at APreston@tennessean.com or 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @AndrewPreston33.