DENVER – When the time came, Reggie Gibson knew what he had to do.
 
The MSU Denver men's basketball point guard, then set to begin his first season at Rogers State (Okla.) learned that his grandfather had cancer. It was time to come home.
 
"It's a big thing for me, because he's been in my life and taught me what I know to this day," Gibson said. "So I just wanted to be home. After a couple of years, I won't be here playing basketball any more, so I just wanted to do what I can for him – because that's my guy."
 
Gibson, who led Overland High School to two Class 5A state championships, transferred to MSU Denver at the semester break last year and spent the second half of the season practicing with the Roadrunners. Though he had played one exhibition game for Rogers State, his eligibility was restored so he is still a junior after spending two seasons at Otero (Colo.) Junior College.
 
And Gibson is pleased to report that Ricky Campbell is doing well.
 
"Everything is good," Gibson said. "He's healthier now. I can't say he's fully recovered, but he's healthier and moving well. I can't complain about how he's doing."
 
Meanwhile, Gibson has had an impact on an MSU Denver team that has undergone a major transition since last season. Only three players who played last season are on the roster, including only one starter.
 
Gibson, who had 11 points and two steals – all in the second half – of the season opener last Saturday, is a steady hand on a roster that is just coming together.
 
"He knows the players," MSU Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "He's a laid-back kid who gets along with a lot of people. If you need something, he's the one who would give you the shirt off his back. If you need a ride, he'll come pick you up. He's a pleaser who wants to do well."
 
No doubt those qualities developed as Gibson's grandfather taught him the value of life beyond basketball. The lessons came while spending time with him after school.
 
"My grandpa is kind of the OG in my life, and he's taught me the things my dad doesn't know, just because he has more experience," Gibson said.  
 
"He was always telling me, 'Homework, homework.' He'd always tell me, 'the ball is going to stop bouncing someday, and eventually you're going to have to use your head.'"
 
But the ball is still bouncing for Gibson, just like it has been for much of his life.
 
"He's a gym rat," Bahl said. "Ever since he was probably an eighth-grader, every time I went to a gym, it seemed like he was there. He's progressed and progressed. He's got a chip on his shoulder, in a good way."
 
At 5-foot-10, Gibson is a bit undersized. But he showed no fear in taking the ball to the basket in the Roadrunners' season-opening loss to Colorado School of Mines. He played just four minutes in the first half, but in seven second-half minutes he made 4 of 5 shots from the field – including a 3-pointer – and 2 of 3 free throws.
 
"The game didn't go the way we wanted, but Reggie competed and played his tail off," Bahl said. "He definitely earned consideration for more minutes. We've talked about that. He understands where he is, and he understands that he's got to keep that chip on his shoulder, because that's what makes him good. That's what makes him who he is. He needs that edge, and he can give us a spark, picking up the team coming off the bench."
 
Now the Roadrunners hit the road for a 5:30 p.m. game Friday at Westminster and and a 7:30 p.m. contest Saturday at Colorado Mesa. While Westminster has had roster turnover similar to MSU Denver's and was picked to finish in a 10^th-place tie in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's pre-season coaches poll, Colorado Mesa has an experienced group returning and is picked to finish fourth.
 
"We're looking to bounce back," Gibson said. "We thought it (the opening game) was going to be easy. All new guys, we're all thinking we were 'the man' … and we got humbled. Honestly, though, it was good for us. Instead of peaking early, now we have something to work towards. That was a really good team that we played, and now we know down the line what we have to do."