Hillsboro’s Pinkley gets basketball jersey retired

(Hillsboro) A former Hillsboro Hawks basketball star has received a prestigious honor.

Gaven Pinkley became just the second player in school history to have his jersey retired during a ceremony Tuesday night at the Hillsboro-St. Pius game.

Pinkley joins Mark Steighorst as the only Hawks to have their number taken off the roster in recognition of their playing career.

As a 2-time member of the boys’ basketball Dream Team and a former Regional Radio Dream Team Player of the Year in hoops, Pinkley is certainly accomplished.

But he still feels honored that the school is memorializing his career.

Pinkley was a 3-time all-conference and 2-time all-state selection during a Hillsboro career where he piled up over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

He says the key to being that good a player is to never assume you are already that good.

And there are plenty of people that Pinkley thanks for helping the journey that lead to putting his #23 in glass forever.

Pinkley is still playing basketball at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg and has continued to star at the college level.

Going back to last season, Pinkley leads the UCM Mules in minutes played and points scored per game.

Gaven Pinkley Full Interview