Springfield Central High School honored former student and 10-year NBA veteran Travis Best by naming the school’s gymnasium in his honor during a ceremony on Saturday, December 22. Best helped officials unveil a design on the court that included his signature, along with a black and gold emblem with his name and the number 3 on his jersey, which was retired.
“People wanted to celebrate me while I’m still here, and while I can still appreciate being celebrated,” Best told The Republican newspaper.
Best’s sensational high school career included a single-game record 81 points. He led the Golden Eagles to an undefeated 25-0 season, culminating in winning the Division 1 state championship in 1991, and was also selected to the McDonald’s All-American team. Central’s overall record during his time on the team was 69 wins and 4 losses.
“This is the greatest honor I could receive: to be in my hometown and know that future athletes and kids who step on this court will see my name. It’s very meaningful,” he said.
After finishing high school, the former Central star player had a brilliant college basketball career at Georgia Tech, before being drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1995. He played for the Pacers, as well as the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets.
Best accumulated 5,380 points, 2,477 assists, 1,275 rebounds and 639 steals during his 10 years in the NBA.
Watching the field dedication ceremony was like opening a yearbook and remembering Best’s time playing for Central.
One former coach described the fear visiting teams felt knowing they were about to be defeated. Another pointed to the spot in the stands where the former pro player’s parents sat: his mother, now deceased, enthusiastically cheering him on and his father constantly offering criticism.
Marie (Daughtry) Moore was the team’s cheerleader from 1988 to 1990, during which time Best was on the team.
“It was amazing. It was a wonderful time being a Central High School cheerleader. He was very humble. To us, he’s still just ‘Trav,'” she said. “He was always a great teammate, encouraging us even the cheerleaders, making sure we were okay. He is an exceptional friend in every way.”
The gym was packed with older fans who sat in those stands more than 30 years ago to watch Best play, remembering what it was like to witness the birth of an NBA career in their city.
“He had a good jump shot and was quick,” Greg Johnson said. “It was a great pleasure to watch him play. I know his whole family. I watched him grow up before he even started playing basketball. I knew he would go far.”
Best comes from a family of Central High School basketball players, which included his father and two older brothers. He remembers watching them compete, waiting impatiently in the stands for their chance to play.
“When I went to games before I went to high school, I had this overwhelming desire to get on the court and show what I could do. During timeouts, you would see the kids run out on the court and shoot baskets. That’s always been me,” Best said.
Best lives in Springfield and cares for his elderly father. Both won the coveted John “Honey” Lahovich Award, which recognizes the best men’s basketball players in Western Massachusetts. Best won it three times, while his father won it twice.
“We were the first father-son team to win it. It’s a really cool historical milestone that will never change,” Best said.
The former Central player said he is also a film producer and runs the nonprofit Travis Best Foundation to promote academics, sports, music and the arts among Springfield youth.
Translated by Damaris Pérez Pizarro
