Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Profile: Javon Bess
11/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Nick Barnowski, MSU Athletic Communications
Javon Bess is happy to be back to his old self.
Hampered by a broken foot that limited him to only 12 games last season, the sophomore has spent all summer working to earn a spot in the starting lineup on a talented Michigan State team.
"Practice has been going well and my shot is looking better and I'm getting my feel back," he said. "I can't wait to start playing injury-free."
Bess feels he is ready to contribute in a big way for a Spartan team that is seeking a spot in the Final Four for a second consecutive season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward said the elements of his game that diminished after his injury have made their way back.
"Now, after the rehab process, I feel like I've got my quickness back," said Bess, who averaged 22 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior at Lincoln High School in Gahanna, Ohio. "My shot is feeling good and I'm in a lot better shape. I'm feeling good right now."
It has been a long journey back from an injury that happened right before the start of the 2014-15 season.
Shortly before he was set to make his Spartan debut, the MSU medical staff found an issue with his right foot. The resulting surgery sidelined him for the first 10 games of the season, a tough break for Bess, who had a great chance at making the starting rotation.
Relying on his strong work ethic, Bess made his way back on the court in the middle of the season, but wasn't able to contribute like he normally would. He started in three games, appeared in 12, and averaged just 2.7 points. The tough adjustment to college hoops and losing months of practice time saw him only get 12.3 minutes per game on the floor.
"To have to get surgery a week before the first game, it was definitely tough on me," he said. "When I came back, I didn't feel I was in great shape. I never really felt like myself."
Unfortunately, the pain never left Bess' foot, and the freshman was forced to end his season with a second surgery. Bess stayed involved, though, and counted on friends like Marvin Clark Jr. to help get him through the recovery process. Clark had the same injury in high school and was able to make life a bit easier for Bess.
"He was able to help me out a lot," Bess said. "He told me to take my time since his took longer than mine because he actually broke his (foot) all the way through. Telling me how things are going to feel and not to walk different because it might cause something else to hurt, little things like that helped me out a lot."
Seeing Clark and the rest of the Spartans advance to the Final Four for the ninth time in program history was a great experience for Bess and only made him want to rehab harder to get 100 percent healthy.
"I felt like I could be out there, but I wasn't able to play," said Bess, who was named Ohio Division I co-player of the year as a prep senior. "It was great to watch and get to see their reactions after we won in Charlotte and after we won in Syracuse."
His teammates had his back during the whole process. Bess said he couldn't imagine being where he is now without his relationship with Clark and fellow sophomore Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr.
He credits them for helping him develop chemistry with the team as a freshman and for staying positive after enduring the two injuries last season.
"I really couldn't imagine being here without those two," Bess said. "That's how close we are. Those are my brothers."
His teammates weren't the only ones who served as motivation for him to get back on the court as quickly as possible. Bess' parents each worked countless hours to help him suit up at the Breslin Center.
His father, Myron, would get up early every morning and go to work until three. He would then go ref local basketball games before starting another job. Sometimes Bess went all day without seeing him.
Bess' mom, April, was also a tireless worker who would work shifts upwards of 12-hours that often began close to 6 a.m.
"They do so much for me," Bess said. "Seeing how hard they work, that's the main motivation I have for playing this game."
He said his parents will be able to see him play more often this season â€" and see him strive for loftier goals. He's returned to his pre-injury self and is looking to play a large role on a team that's in search of a national championship. In MSU's season-opening exhibition against Northern Michigan on Nov. 4, Bess hit four of seven shots, including a three-pointer, along with four free throws for 11 points in 19 minutes of action.
Bess said he's made strides in improving his understanding of coach Tom Izzo's defensive principles, an area he said was the toughest to adjust to from high school and AAU ball.
"This is a new level and everybody is faster and more athletic," said Bess, who also was a quarterback playing football growing up. "If you're not in the right spot then your man could score."
He's also built more chemistry with his teammates following the August trip to Italy, and can use his versatility on the floor to create mismatches.
The Italy trip was more than helpful for the team, Bess included. Getting the chance to play the Russian, Italian and Georgian national teams allowed him to get a glimpse of what basketball is like on the international level.
"We saw that they really know how to play the game of basketball," he said. "Just to see how they play, we can take things from them that we can incorporate in our game now."
With the regular season opener finally here, Bess can't wait to get back on the court. After months of rehab, he's 100 percent healthy. It's now time for him to show what he has to offer.
"I'm going to do whatever I've got to do to help this team win games," he said.
