The Cat Comes Back

After losing three family members to cancer, sustaining severe nerve damage from a gunshot wound and enduring his second broken foot in his collegiate career, University of Arizona swingman Kevin Parrom knows a thing or two about challenges. In this week’s SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, senior writer Kelli Anderson explores the impact of Parrom’s personal tragedies and how he has rebounded from them in time to complete his degree and contribute to the No. 12 Arizona Wildcats.

“Kevin’s not just the comeback player of the year, he’s the most courageous player,” says Wildcats assistant Emanuel (Book) Richardson. “What he went through would have broken a lot of players.” (PAGE 52)

With another top ten recruiting class on its way to Arizona and limited speed due to his injuries, Parrom worked tirelessly this past summer on his three-point shot and has improved from beyond the arc to 36.1%. And across the board, Parrom has put up impressive numbers as one of the top sixth men in the country, averaging 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.9 minutes.

When asked how he has dealt with so much tragedy in such a short time span, Parrom echoes his late mother’s words—“All you can do is stay strong”. (PAGE 55)

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